Objective:

To examine the association between mobile phone dependency (MPD) and musculoskeletal pain in adolescents, while considering the potential confounding and mediating roles of psychosocial factors and the need for refined exposure assessment.

Key Findings:

• Over half of the surveyed adolescents reported musculoskeletal pain, with upper back and neck pain being most prevalent, highlighting a significant public health concern.
• Higher MPD scores were associated with reported pain, particularly in the context of mobile phone 'abuse and difficulty regulating use,' indicating a need for targeted interventions.

Interpretation:

The study highlights the complex interplay between mobile phone dependency and musculoskeletal pain in adolescents, suggesting that psychosocial factors and specific usage patterns may influence this relationship.

Limitations:

• The cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, making it difficult to establish direct relationships.
• Potential confounding by unmeasured psychosocial factors may skew results and interpretations.
• Heterogeneity in pain reporting may dilute findings, complicating the understanding of the MPD-pain relationship.

Conclusion:

Future research should refine exposure assessments, consider psychosocial factors, and explore specific usage patterns to better understand the relationship between mobile phone use and musculoskeletal pain in adolescents.