Notification Dependence and Everyday Psychological Experiences Among Smartphone Users


Authors

(1) * Krittavit Bhumithavara   (Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep, Thailand)  
        Thailand
(2)  Hao Sun   (Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep, Thailand)  
        Thailand
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract


Smartphone notifications have increasingly shaped how users manage attention, social relationships, and daily routines. This study aims to explore notification dependence and everyday psychological experiences among smartphone users. Using a qualitative case study design, data were collected through in-depth interviews, direct observation of daily activities, and documentation of digital traces such as screen time records, notification logs, and app usage summaries. The findings reveal three dominant patterns. First, social expectations encouraged rapid responses, especially to work-related and close-relationship messages. Second, notifications repeatedly interrupted ongoing activities, causing fragmented attention and delayed task re-engagement. Third, documentation showed repeated checking as a habitual daily behavior reflected in frequent phone pickups and multiple short usage sessions. These findings suggest that notification dependence operates as an everyday psychological experience shaped by social pressure, attentional disruption, and habitual behavioral regulation. This study highlights the importance of digital self-regulation and structured notification management to support psychological well-being.



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