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Associations between objectively measured smartphone screen time and ikigai in community-dwelling older adults: roles of physical function and social frailty
Tsujishita S, Kotani S, Otani Y, Iwamoto K, Iwase H.. Research Square, 2026-09-29
Topic: Health services, long-term care and technology
Background Although smartphones have rapidly proliferated among older adults, it remains unclear whether screen time (smartphone usage time) is associated with "ikigai" (a sense of life worth living), and how physical function or social frailty relates to these factors. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the association between objectively measured smartphone screen time and ikigai among community-dwelling older adults, and to comprehensively examine their associated factors including physical function and social frailty. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 270 community-dwelling older adults (95 males, 175 females, mean age: 73.0 ± 6.4 years) in X City, Hyogo Prefecture. Weekly average screen time (min/day) was objectively measured using built-in smartphone system log functions. Ikigai was assessed using the K-1 Ikigai Scale (range: 0–32 points). Physical function (Timed Up & Go [TUG] test, walking speed), cognitive function (Rapid Dementia Screening Test [RDST-J]), social frailty (5-item screening), and sociodemographic covariates were also evaluated. Statistical analyses included group comparisons among screen time tertiles and multivariable linear regression analyses for ikigai and screen time. Results The mean screen time and ikigai score were 91.3 ± 111.7 min/day and 25.6 ± 5.8, respectively. Comparisons among screen time tertiles revealed that participants with longer screen time were significantly younger (p < 0.001) and had better TUG (p = 0.030), walking speed (p = 0.037), and cognitive function (p = 0.004); however, no significant differences were observed in ikigai (p = 0.139) or social frailty (p = 0.912). Multivariable regression analysis showed that social frailty (β = -0.462, p < 0.001) was independently associated with ikigai, whereas physical function (TUG: β = -0.091, p = 0.153), cognitive function (β = -0.037, p = 0.536), and screen time (β = 0.109, p = 0.051) were not. In the model predicting screen time, only age was significantly associated (β = -0.225, p < 0.001). Conclusions Although smartphone usage time is not directly associated with ikigai in older adults, it may reflect preserved physical and cognitive abilities required to navigate digital environments. To maintain and enhance ikigai among older adults, comprehensive support to prevent social frailty and maintain mobility, rather than simply promoting digital device use, is essential.
Key findings
- Background Although smartphones have rapidly proliferated among older adults, it remains unclear whether screen time (smartphone usage time) is associated with "ikigai" (a sense of life worth living), and how physical function or social frailty relates to these factors.
- Results The mean screen time and ikigai score were 91.3 ± 111.7 min/day and 25.6 ± 5.8, respectively.
- Comparisons among screen time tertiles revealed that participants with longer screen time were significantly younger (p < 0.001) and had better TUG (p = 0.030), walking speed (p = 0.037), and cognitive function (p = 0.004); however, no significant differences were observed in ikigai (p = 0.139) or social frailty (p = 0.912).
- Multivariable regression analysis showed that social frailty (β = -0.462, p < 0.001) was independently associated with ikigai, whereas physical function (TUG: β = -0.091, p = 0.153), cognitive function (β = -0.037, p = 0.536), and screen time (β = 0.109, p = 0.051) were not.
- In the model predicting screen time, only age was significantly associated (β = -0.225, p < 0.001).
Study details
- Study designcross-sectional
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 16/100
Preprint — not yet peer-reviewed. It scored 27 on the same rubric, but non-peer-reviewed sources are capped at 16, so it shows as 16. Scored zero for sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it. We have no data on times cited, citations per year, impact for its field and year, cited by studies here, still being cited, senior author's track record, institution's track record and multi-centre collaboration, so those were left out: it earned 17 of the 62 points we could judge it on, which is 27 out of 100.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 2 / 10 | Tier 4 — not a peer-reviewed journal (Research Square) |
| Journal's citation record | 0 / 4 | Not a journal article, so the journal's record does not count |
| Study design | 4 / 12 | A snapshot of people at one point in time |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 4 / 10 | Preprint — not yet peer-reviewed. Hosted on a preprint server. |
| How recent | 5 / 5 | 2026 — within 1 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | — / 7 | No citation count (not found in OpenAlex) — left out of this score |
| Citations per year | — / 5 | No citation count or no year — left out of this score |
| Impact for its field and year | — / 6 | No field-weighted citation impact (OpenAlex has none yet) — left out of this score |
| Cited by studies here | — / 6 | Not yet checked against this library's citation graph — left out of this score |
| Still being cited | — / 4 | No yearly citation counts — left out of this score |
| Senior author's track record | — / 4 | Senior author's record not available — left out of this score |
| Institution's track record | — / 3 | No institution listed in OpenAlex — left out of this score |
| Multi-centre collaboration | — / 3 | Institutions not listed — left out of this score |
| Indexed in PubMed | 1 / 2 | Not in PubMed, but has a DOI |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Points | 17 / 62 | Scored on 12 of 20 parts. We have no data for the rest, so they are left out: 17 of the 62 points we could judge it on is 27 out of 100. |
| Total | 27 / 100 | Capped to 16 because this is not a peer-reviewed article. |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
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APA 7th
Tsujishita, S., Kotani, S., Otani, Y., Iwamoto, K., & Iwase, H. (2026). Associations between objectively measured smartphone screen time and ikigai in community-dwelling older adults: roles of physical function and social frailty. Research Square. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-10846996/v1
Vancouver
Tsujishita S, Kotani S, Otani Y, Iwamoto K, Iwase H. Associations between objectively measured smartphone screen time and ikigai in community-dwelling older adults: roles of physical function and social frailty. Research Square. 2026. doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-10846996/v1.
BibTeX
@article{tsujishita2026-568878f1,
author = {Tsujishita, S. and Kotani, S. and Otani, Y. and Iwamoto, K. and Iwase, H.},
title = {{Associations between objectively measured smartphone screen time and ikigai in community-dwelling older adults: roles of physical function and social frailty}},
journal = {Research Square},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.21203/rs.3.rs-10846996/v1},
url = {https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-10846996/v1}
}
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