Investigating the Effects of Smartphone Use During Short Breaks on Cognitive Performance and Affective States

Abstract

Smartphones have become an integral part of daily life, yet their impact on the attentional and affective system remains uncertain. This study investigates whether using smartphones during breaks between cognitive tasks influences subsequent performance and mind wandering compared to sitting quietly. Using a within-subjects design, participants completed a 2-back task and took short breaks during which they either used their smartphones or sat quietly without using their smartphones. We measured task performance and mind wandering frequencies during the 2-back task as well as mind wandering during breaks, participants’ mood before and after the breaks, and their tendency to check their smartphones spontaneously in daily life. The results revealed no significant differences in mind wandering frequency during the two types of breaks. Additionally, there were no significant differences in subsequent task performance or mind wandering frequency between smartphone and no-smartphone breaks. However, participants felt more positive after smartphone than no-smartphone breaks, and their tendency to check their smartphones spontaneously was positively correlated with this positive mood improvement. These findings suggest that brief smartphone use during breaks may enhance mood, but do not affect performance or mind wandering in a subsequent cognitive task.