Dear Kathy Wachter,

There seems to be some research regarding individuals attachment to their smartphone/tablet:

Psychol Rep. 2012 Aug;111(1):281-8.

Women's adult romantic attachment style and communication by cell phone with romantic partners.

Weisskirch RS.

email: [email protected]

Abstract

Cell phones have become important communication media for individuals in romantic relationships. The frequency of and methods used for communication may vary by adults' style of romantic attachment. Female university students (N = 31) currently in romantic relationships responded to a questionnaire. They estimated the frequency of calls and text messages received from and made to their romantic partners and completed the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised instrument, a measure of attachment anxiety and avoidance. Also, the participants reviewed their cell phones' memories and provided accurate frequency of communication to and from the romantic partner. Attachment anxiety was associated with more estimated text messages sent to and received from the romantic partners and actual text messages sent to and received from the romantic partners. Attachment avoidance was associated (r = -.38) with fewer estimated calls made to the romantic partners and fewer actual calls made to the romantic partners (r = -.34).

J Sex Res. 2012;49(6):570-82. Epub 2011 Aug 19.

Love and hooking up in the new millennium: communication technology and relationships among urban African American and Puerto Rican young adults.

Bergdall AR, Kraft JM, Andes K, Carter M, Hatfield-Timajchy K, Hock-Long L.

email: [email protected]

Abstract

Communication technology is a central feature of young people's lives, but its role in romantic and sexual relationships has not been thoroughly examined. This article describes how young adults use communication technology for partnering across relationship stages (formation, maintenance, and dissolution) and types (serious/casual), and proposes implications of usage in relationships. This study analyzed qualitative data from a five-week, prospective, coital diary method with related debriefing interviews (N = 70) of African American and Puerto Rican men and women aged 18 to 25 years in Hartford and Philadelphia. Cell phones, including calls, text messaging, and mobile Internet, were the most common forms of communication technology used for partnering goals. Participants reported using cell phones to pursue partnering goals across all relationship stages, including formation (meeting, screening, and getting to know new partners), maintaining existing relationships, and breaking up. Cell phone uses depended on the type of relationship (serious/casual) and the participants' intentions and desires. Results indicated that cell phones are an important element of communication among young adults in romantic and sexual relationships. Specific features of cell phone communication shape the process and context of partnering. Future research should explore emerging communication technologies and implications for psychosocial development, dating violence, and sexual behavior.

Psychiatry Res. 2014 May 15;216(2):255-62. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2013.12.024. Epub 2013 Dec 21.

Text messaging: are dependency and Excessive Use discretely different for Japanese university students?

Lu X1, Katoh T2, Chen Z3, Nagata T4, Kitamura T5.

Electronic address: [email protected].

Abstract

Text messaging may be excessive and young people may be dependent on it. We distributed the Self-perception of Text-message Dependency Scale (STDS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), and Relationship Questionnaire (RQ) to 223 Japanese university students in a two-wave study, separated by a 5-month interval. The STDS yielded a three-factor structure. The STDS scores across the two measurement occasions were stable across time (except for the Relationship Maintenance subscale). A hierarchical cluster analysis suggested a three-class structure interpreted as Normal Users, Excessive Users, and Dependent Users. Excessive Users and Dependent Users were characterized by a young age at initial mobile phone use, more frequent use of text messaging, higher Novelty Seeking, and better Other-Model patterns of adult attachment. Unlike Excessive Users, Dependent Users were characterized by lower Self-directedness, poorer Self-Model of adult attachment, and higher anxiety and depression. The Excessive Users, but not the Dependent Users, were characterized by high Reward Dependence and Co-operativeness. The present study demonstrated that the STDS has a robust factor structure, good construct validity, and temporal stability (except for Relationship Maintenance subscale); students could be classified into normal, excessive, and Dependent Users of the text messaging; and Dependent Users were characterized by Excessive Use and personality immaturity.

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate your references. My thinking with attachment and smartphone/tablet was oriented around their usage context for shopping, sharing, purchasing products/information. As most today consider these devices a 'need'--how this attachment to the necessity of constantly checking/using these devices--then with this attachment, how their usage and satisfaction influences their user experiences in shopping and purchasing goods and services.

It is probably an area where "further research is needed":)

Sorry to be so late in responding to your information.  Would or do you think it could be possible to model use of smartphone/tablet 'apps' and test smartphone/tablet usage within engagement driving attachment, which embeds users and those highly embedded drive loyalty bonds which delivers higher value and satisfaction and continued 'attachment/usage'.

Challenge I am facing currently is the 'engagement' construct.  Any ideas and input would be greatly appreciated.

Kathy W.