Background: University students are in the age group most interested in possessing smartphones for many different reasons. They use smartphones for a variety of activities such as studying, entertaining, accessing the internet and social communication. Despite the many benefits of smartphone use, empirical research suggests that individuals are addicted to or overly dependent on smartphones, resulting in negative consequences affecting their health and daily lives.
Objectives: the aim of this study is to identify the correlation between smartphone addiction and pre- exam stress in Beni Suef physical therapy students.
Methods: 60 physical therapy students were enrolled to participate in the study their age ranged from 18-23 years old. smart phone addiction was assessed by Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Version, stress was assessed by using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and cortisol level while GIT disturbances was evaluated by gastrointestinal symptoms rate scale .
Results: The results of the present study showed that smartphone addiction was positively correlated with gastrointestinal disturbances (r= 0.31, p=0.013), while there was no correlation between smartphone addiction and perceived stress (r=-0.078, p=0.552), and between smart phone addiction and cortisol level (r=0.114, p=0.385).
Conclusion: the present study demonstrates a positive correlation between smartphone addiction and gastrointestinal disturbances, while no correlation between smart phone addiction and stress in physical therapy students.
Keywords: smartphone, stress, gastrointestinal, cortisol.