Psychological distress and problematic smartphone use: Two faces of the same coin? Findings from a survey on Italian young adults

The relationship between loneliness and psychological distress among Chinese college students: the mediating role of mobile phone addiction and the moderating role of core self-evaluation

Previous studies showed that loneliness and psychological distress are related. However, the potential mechanisms involved in this relationship are unknown. This study examined the mediating effect of mobile phone addiction and the moderating effect of core self-evaluation on the relationship between mobile phone addiction and psychological distress. A total of 826 college students were recruited. A cross-sectional study design and an online questionnaire survey were employed to measure loneliness, mobile phone addiction, core self-evaluation, and psychological distress in college students, and used the PROCESS macro program to conduct moderated mediation analysis. Loneliness was significantly and positively associated with psychological distress, mobile phone addiction partially mediated the relation between Loneliness and college students' psychological distress and this indirect path was moderated by core self-evaluations. Specifically, the effect of mobile phone addiction on psychological distress was stronger for college students with lower core self-evaluations than for those with higher core self-evaluations. The results are helpful to comprehend the producing mechanism of psychological distress and provide a theoretical basis for the intervention of psychological distress.

How Distressed Are Adolescent Students? A Mix-Method Study on High School Students in Northern Italy, Two Years after the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Adolescence is a central phase for the development of a person's identity, involving complex multidimensional changes and increasing vulnerability to distress. This study aimed to investigate the psychological well-being of adolescent students in Brescia (Northern Italy), two years after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey investigated the extent and the reasons reported by high school students (13-21 years) for their emotional distress (ED), also considering other factors such as physical activity, nutrition, sleep and smartphone overuse. The main reasons for ED were classified through a qualitative analysis of the free-text answers. A total of 1686 students agreed to participate, and 50% showed a presence of ED. According to a multiple logistic analysis, adolescents were more at risk of ED if they were female (AdjOR 2.3), older (AdjOR 1.6), slept less than 8 h (AdjOR 1.5), perceived increased anxiety (AdjOR 3.4), and adopted certain eating behaviors, e.g., comfort food consumption (AdjOR 2.0). According to free-text answers, the main reasons for ED were "school pressure", "relationships with family and peers", "negative emotional states" and "the pandemic". The results show a high level of ED among adolescents, and the reported reasons may help to better address their psychological needs after the pandemic.

Smartphone Distraction: Italian Validation of the Smartphone Distraction Scale (SDS)

This work aimed to validate the use of the Smartphone Distraction Scale (SDS) in Italy. The SDS was devised to assess distraction related to smartphone use in adult populations. A cross-sectional study was conducted among n = 609 adults (females = 76.4%; mean age = 30.26; SD age = 9.90). An assessment of the factorial structure of the Italian version was carried out using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The four factors identified by Throuvala and colleagues were confirmed (i.e., attention impulsiveness, online vigilance, multitasking and emotion regulation). Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.703-0.889). The scale's scores showed significant linear correlations with validated instruments, including the Mobile Phone Problematic Use Scale (MPPUS)and the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ). A multivariate analysis of variance showed significant differences in the means among participants belonging to different age groups (born before 1995 vs. born after 1996). In summary, the good psychometric properties observed led us to assume that this instrument can be applied and used in Italian studies to assess the cognitive dimension of distraction related to the use of smartphones.

Smartphone Use Side-by-Side with Burnout: Mediation of Work-Family Interaction and Loneliness

The main objective of this investigation is to study the relationship between compulsive smartphone use and burnout, and the potential mediating effect of negative work−family interaction and loneliness in this relationship. An online questionnaire was applied to a sample of 228 Portuguese workers, from various sectors, aged between 19 and 60 years (mean = 32.32); (standard deviation = 9.25), mostly female (64.5%; n = 154). The data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. The main results show that the compulsive use of the smartphone is positively and expressively related (β = 0.258; p < 0.001) to burnout, with compulsive users reporting more symptoms of burnout. In addition, this study shows the mediating power of negative work−family interaction and loneliness, in the relationship between compulsive smartphone use and burnout, with this effect being positive and significant (B = 0.072; 95% CI [0.026; 0.145]; B = 0.068; 95% CI [0.008; 0.141]). These results highlight the need for individuals and organizations to use smartphones with caution, as well as reinforce that companies must develop a way to prevent and treat possible risk factors associated with this phenomenon.

The Prevalence and Psychosocial Factors of Problematic Smartphone Use Among Chinese College Students: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study

Problematic smartphone use (PSU) in college students has been a major public health concern in modern society, which may also lead to adverse health outcomes. Using a three-wave longitudinal study design, the current study aimed to examine the prevalence and psychosocial factors of PSU in a large sample of Chinese college students. The data used in this study was obtained from an ongoing longitudinal study in Guangdong, China. In the current study, a total of 7,434 freshmen and sophomores who completed the first three surveys were included. Self-administered questionnaires were used to assess PSU, possible social anxiety disorders, depressive symptoms, loneliness, family conflicts, academic stress, and some demographic characteristics. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were performed to determine the risk factors associated with PSU. The results showed that 65.8, 58.1, and 52.8% of college students reported PSU at three waves, with an apparent downward trend. Female students reported higher prevalence rates of PSU than males. Depressive symptoms, possible social anxiety disorders, loneliness, family conflicts, and high academic pressure were important risk factors for PSU. Early intervention and identification of those who show signs of PSU may prevent the development of maladaptive coping responses and addictive behaviors, so as to prevent future negative psychosocial consequences.