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Yao S, Nie T. Boss, Can't You Hear Me? The Impact Mechanism of Supervisor Phone Snubbing (Phubbing) on Employee Psychological Withdrawal Behavior. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:3167. [PMID: 38132057 PMCID: PMC10742795 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11243167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
With the excessive smartphone use in the workplace, supervisor phubbing has drawn broad concerns in managerial and academic fields. Though the neglect is unintentional, this behavior can generate counterproductive working behaviors. The basic assumptions of this study are that supervisor phubbing can impact employee psychological withdrawal behavior directly and indirectly via work alienation. To provide empirical evidence for the assumptions, the two-wave online survey of 302 Chinese employees without any supervisory functions was conducted on the Questionnaire Star platform. Based on the stressor-emotion model, work alienation is proved to be the psychological path in the positive relationship between supervisor phubbing and employee psychological withdrawal behavior. Different from the current studies exploring the impact mechanism of phubbing behavior on psychological withdrawal behavior between parents and children, couples, or friends, we put this mechanism into the workplace and focus on subordinate-superior relationships. In addition, the positive indirect effects are enhanced when employees have higher interpersonal sensitivity. In practice, these findings suggest that organizations should normalize the smart devices use in the workplace, and supervisors should balance their working roles with other roles. In addition, organizations should strengthen training on adjusting to negative emotions and interpersonal sensitivity control at work. Although two rounds of the time-lagged data were collected in a one-month interval, the limitations of cross-section data still exist, so the conclusions cannot establish causality. Hence, future research may conduct experimental or longitudinal research designs to make the conclusion more rigorous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqin Yao
- School of Business, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China;
- School of Economics and Management, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Ting Nie
- School of Business, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China;
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2
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Zhang HX. Smartphone Addiction Among University Students' During the Post-COVID-19 Era: The Role of Emotional Intelligence and Future Anxiety. Psychiatry Investig 2023; 20:951-961. [PMID: 37899219 PMCID: PMC10620330 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2023.0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-related psychological symptoms can lead to smartphone addiction (SPA) risk and other behavioral disorders, thus impacting individuals' mental health and well-being. The present study aims to propose a mediation model to investigate the association between emotional intelligence (EI) and SPA, and the mediating role of future anxiety (FA) during the post-COVID-19 era. METHODS An online questionnaire including the Emotional Intelligence Scale, the Dark Future Scale, and the Smartphone Addiction Scale among university students from China, was conducted between September 14 and November 22, 2022. Finally, 1,154 valid questionnaires were collected. The reliability and confirmatory factor analysis results showed that all three scales had good reliability and validity. RESULTS Structural Equation Model demonstrated that EI significantly and negatively influenced SPA (β=0.211, p<0.001), university students' FA significantly and positively effected SPA (β=0.315, p<0.001), EI significantly predicted SPA in university students, and FA partially mediated the association between EI and SPA. The mediation effect of FA was 0.110, which accounted for 34.27% of the total effect. Bootstrap results furthermore tested the rigor of the mediating effect. CONCLUSION These findings broaden our understanding regarding the relationship between EI and SPA and the mediating role of FA, providing new sights for educators on how to reduce the risk of SPA when confronting the ongoing and possible future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-xin Zhang
- Institute for Zhongyuan Insitute for Peasant Studies, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou, China
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3
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Gao B, Liu Y, Shen Q, Fu C, Li W, Li X. Why Cannot I Stop Phubbing? Boredom Proneness and Phubbing: A Multiple Mediation Model. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2023; 16:3727-3738. [PMID: 37705851 PMCID: PMC10497055 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s423371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background With the popularity of smartphone and their increasingly rich functions, people's attachment to their phones is increasing. While people enjoy the convenience that smartphone bring (eg, accessing information and socializing), it also leads to problematic smartphone use (eg, phubbing). Previous research has shown that boredom proneness can trigger phubbing. However, the underlying psychological mechanisms are not yet clear. Methods To address this research gap, we surveyed 556 Chinese college students (Mage = 18.89 years, SD = 1.18) during the COVID-19 pandemic and all participants completed a self-report questionnaire. Drawing the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution model (I-PACE) for addictive behaviors, this study developed and examined a multiple mediation model incorporating boredom proneness, loneliness, fear of missing out (FoMO), and phubbing. Results (1) Boredom proneness could positively predict phubbing; (2) loneliness and FoMO mediated the relationship between boredom proneness and phubbing, respectively; and (3) loneliness and FoMO sequentially mediated the relationship between boredom proneness and phubbing. Conclusion These findings are not only valuable for understanding the underlying mechanisms linking boredom proneness and phubbing, but also suggest that three types of interventions could be effectively used to decrease the risk of phubbing among college students, namely, reducing boredom proneness, relieving loneliness, and decreasing FoMO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Gao
- Research Institute for International and Comparative Education, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, People’s Republic of China
- Lab for Educational Big Data and Policymaking, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuanyuan Liu
- Mental Health Center, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Quanwei Shen
- School of Education, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, People’s Republic of China
| | - Changqing Fu
- Mental Health Center, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weiyi Li
- School of Business Administration, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xu Li
- School of Education, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, People’s Republic of China
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Li F, Wang G, Zhu D, Liu S, Liao J, Zhang S, Li J. Parental neglect and short-form video application addiction in Chinese adolescents: The mediating role of alexithymia and the moderating role of refusal self-efficacy. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2023; 143:106345. [PMID: 37451180 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The phenomenon of short-form video application addiction among Chinese adolescents is noteworthy. More research has focused on the influencing factors of internet addiction, but research on specifically exploring the antecedents and influencing mechanisms of short-form video application addiction (a subcategory of internet addiction) among adolescents is insufficient. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the relation between parental neglect and short-form video application addiction among Chinese adolescents and examine the mediating effect of alexithymia and the moderating role of refusal self-efficacy. METHODS A total of 1203 Chinese adolescents were assigned to complete scales regarding parental neglect, alexithymia, refusal self-efficacy and short-form video application addiction. RESULTS Parental neglect was positively related to short-form video application addiction among Chinese adolescents, and alexithymia mediated this link. Furthermore, refusal self-efficacy moderated the direct connection between parental neglect and short-form video application addiction. Specifically, the link between parental neglect and short-form video application addiction became weaker as adolescents' refusal self-efficacy increased. CONCLUSION The experiences of parental neglect are closely related to higher levels of short-form video application addiction among Chinese adolescents. Parental neglect is associated with higher level of short-form video application addiction through stronger alexithymia, and the relationship between parental neglect and short-form video application addiction is attenuated when adolescents have high refusal self-efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Li
- School of Psychology, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Gang Wang
- School of Psychology, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dan Zhu
- School of Psychology, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Saifeng Liu
- School of Psychology, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jundong Liao
- School of Psychology, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Siyuan Zhang
- School of Psychology, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jie Li
- School of Chinese Studies, Dalian University of Foreign Languages, Dalian, China
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Safdar Bajwa R, Abdullah H, Zaremohzzabieh Z, Wan Jaafar WM, Abu Samah A. Smartphone addiction and phubbing behavior among university students: A moderated mediation model by fear of missing out, social comparison, and loneliness. Front Psychol 2023; 13:1072551. [PMID: 36687837 PMCID: PMC9853171 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1072551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction This article examines mediators and moderators that may explain the link between smartphone addiction and phubbing behavior using a sample of 794 university students. Methods A mediation model was tested to test the hypothesis that social comparison orientation and fear of missing out would mediate the link between smartphone addiction and phubbing behavior. Additionally, a moderated mediation model was leveraged to examine loneliness as a moderator within the hypothesized model. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS. Results and Discussion The findings show a significant positive relationship between smartphone addiction and phubbing behavior. The findings confirm the hypothesized associations and reveal that smartphone addiction is positively linked to phubbing behavior. The link, on the other hand, is partially and sequentially mediated by the fear of missing out and social comparison orientation. As a result, both mediators might be regarded as proximal variables of phubbing behavior. Moreover, the associations between both smart addiction and phubbing behaviors as well as social comparison orientation and phubbing behaviors are moderated by loneliness. These two effects were stronger for university students with high loneliness than for those with low loneliness. This study addresses a major gap in the clinical psychology literature through the attempt to explore the relationship between smartphone addiction and increased phubbing behavior among university students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruqia Safdar Bajwa
- Institute for Social Science Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Haslinda Abdullah
- Institute for Social Science Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia,*Correspondence: Haslinda Abdullah,
| | - Zeinab Zaremohzzabieh
- Institute for Social Science Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia,Zeinab Zaremohzzabieh,
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Boredom Proneness on Chinese College Students' Phubbing during the COVID-19 Outbreak: The Mediating Effects of Self-Control and Bedtime Procrastination. JOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE ENGINEERING 2023; 2023:4134283. [PMID: 36818383 PMCID: PMC9931466 DOI: 10.1155/2023/4134283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Objective To analyze the relationship between boredom proneness and phubbing among Chinese college students and examine how self-control and bedtime procrastination mediate this relationship during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods A total of 707 Chinese college students were voluntarily surveyed. They completed the Generic Scale of Phubbing (GSP), Short Boredom Proneness Scale (SBPS), Bedtime Procrastination Scale (BPS), and Self-Control Scale (SCS). Results (1) The results revealed that men scored higher on boredom than women. (2) The analysis revealed significant associations between each of the variables. Boredom proneness was positively correlated with bedtime procrastination (r = 0.318; P < 0.001) and phubbing (r = 0.418; P < 0.001) and negatively correlated with self-control (r = -0.518; P < 0.001). (3) Mediation analysis suggested that self-control and bedtime procrastination mediate the relationship between boredom proneness and phubbing (effect of self-control = 0.094, P < 0.001, 95% CI [0.062∼0.128]; effect of bedtime procrastination = 0.025, P < 0.001, 95% CI [0.011∼0.042]; and effect of self-control and bedtime procrastination = 0.032, P < 0.001, 95% CI [0.020∼0.046]). Conclusion Self-control and bedtime procrastination mediate the association between boredom proneness and phubbing among Chinese college students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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He J, Yang X, Du M, Zhao C, Wang X, Zhang G, Peng H. Prospective Association between Smartphone Addiction and Perceived Stress and Moderation of Boredom during COVID-19 in China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:15355. [PMID: 36430074 PMCID: PMC9692943 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192215355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Smartphone addiction (SPA) is prevalent in college students and harms their healthy development, and perceived stress (PS) has been a well-documented risk factor of SPA. People often experienced boredom during COVID-19; however, its effect on behavioral/mental health during the pandemic has been rarely tested. We investigated the prospective association between SPA and PS before and during COVID-19, as well as the moderation of boredom. A total of 197 college students participated in four-wave surveys from December 2018 to June 2020 in China. The cross-lagged model was developed to investigate the prospective association between SPA and PS from T1 to T4. Boredom was added to the model at T4 as a moderator to explore the moderating role of boredom during COVID-19. The results showed that the pandemic changed PS's prediction on SPA. During COVID-19, boredom significantly affected SPA and PS and moderated the link from PS at T3 to PS at T4. The results suggest that the prospective associations between SPA and PS varied before and during COVID-19. Prevention of SPA should be conducted for new students and should be used to enhance their stress coping capacity. Intervention programs for eliminating boredom may be effective for reducing stress and SPA during COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiankang He
- Department of Psychology, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Xue Yang
- Center for Health Behaviours Research, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Mingxuan Du
- Department of Psychology, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Chengjia Zhao
- School of Education, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Center for Health Behaviours Research, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Guohua Zhang
- Department of Psychology, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
- The Affiliated Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Honglei Peng
- The Audit Office, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
- School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
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8
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Xu XP, Liu QQ, Li ZH, Yang WX. The Mediating Role of Loneliness and the Moderating Role of Gender between Peer Phubbing and Adolescent Mobile Social Media Addiction. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:10176. [PMID: 36011810 PMCID: PMC9407745 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191610176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Mobile social media addiction has been a pressing issue in adolescents. The present study examined the mediation of loneliness between peer phubbing and mobile social media addiction among Chinese adolescents and tested whether gender could moderate the direct and indirect effects of peer phubbing. A total of 830 adolescents between 11 and 18 years of age (Mage = 14.480, SDage = 1.789) completed an anonymous self-report survey. The results showed that peer phubbing was positively associated with mobile social media addiction. Loneliness partially mediated peer phubbing and adolescent mobile social media addiction. There were significant gender differences in the direct and indirect effects of peer phubbing on mobile social media addiction. The direct effect of peer phubbing and the indirect effect through loneliness were relatively higher in girls than in boys. The results highlight the critical role of loneliness in linking peer phubbing to adolescent mobile social media addiction and the vital role of gender in moderating the direct and indirect impacts of peer phubbing. The findings promote a better understanding of how peer phubbing is associated with adolescent mobile phone addiction and for whom the effect of peer phubbing is potent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Pan Xu
- Institute for Public Policy and Social Management Innovation, College of Political Science and Public Administration, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- School of Sociology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Qing-Qi Liu
- College of Education for the Future, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519087, China
- School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhen-Hua Li
- School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wen-Xian Yang
- Center of Mental Health Education and Counseling, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
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9
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Popescu AM, Balica RȘ, Lazăr E, Bușu VO, Vașcu JE. Smartphone addiction risk, technology-related behaviors and attitudes, and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Psychol 2022; 13:997253. [PMID: 36051208 PMCID: PMC9424853 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.997253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic-related perceived risk of infection, illness fears, acute stress, emotional anxiety, exhaustion, and fatigue, psychological trauma and depressive symptoms, and sustained psychological distress can cause smartphone addiction risk and lead to technology-related cognitive, emotional, and behavioral disorders, thus impacting psychological well-being. Behavioral addiction of smartphone users can result in anxiety symptom severity, psychiatric symptoms, and depressive stress. We carried out a quantitative literature review of the Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest throughout June 2022, with search terms including “smartphone addiction + COVID-19” + “stress,” “anxiety,” “depression,” “psychological distress,” “screen time,” and “fear.” As we analyzed only articles published between 2020 and 2022, 288 papers met the eligibility criteria. By excluding sources with similar titles, having unclear findings or unsupported by replication, or displaying inconsistent content, we selected 64, mainly empirical, sources. We used layout algorithms (VOSviewer) and bibliometric mapping (Dimensions) as data visualization tools. Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR), a systematic review and literature review software (Distiller SR), Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), and Systematic Review Data Repository (SRDR) were employed as methodological quality assessment tools. As limitations, we analyzed only articles published between 2020 and 2022 in scholarly outlets indexed in the Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest databases. The scope of our study also does not advance the inspection of sources covering vulnerable individuals suffering from certain diseases or specific generations. Subsequent analyses should develop on smartphone use and addiction among children and adolescents. Future research should thus investigate problematic smartphone use and addiction across generations Z and Alpha. Attention should be directed to their personality traits and psychopathological symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Raluca-Ștefania Balica
- Department of Education and Communication Sciences, University of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
- *Correspondence: Raluca-Ștefania Balica,
| | - Emil Lazăr
- Department of Teaching Staff Training, University of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
| | - Valentin Oprea Bușu
- Department of Teaching Staff Training, University of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
| | - Janina-Elena Vașcu
- Department of Education Sciences, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
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COVID-19 Victimization Experience and College Students’ Mobile Phone Addiction: A Moderated Mediation Effect of Future Anxiety and Mindfulness. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19137578. [PMID: 35805232 PMCID: PMC9266165 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study proposed a moderated mediation model to investigate the association between COVID-19 victimization experience and mobile phone addiction, the mediating role of future anxiety, and the moderating role of mindfulness. This study employed the COVID-19 victimization experience scale, the mobile phone addiction scale, a future anxiety scale, and a mindfulness scale in a survey study among Chinese college students; 840 valid questionnaires were received. The reliability and confirmatory factor analysis results showed that all four scales had good reliability and validity. Bootstrap results demonstrated that COVID-19 victimization experience significantly predicted mobile phone addiction in college students (B = 0.202, LLCI = 0.136, ULCI = 0.268). Future anxiety fully mediated the association between COVID-19 victimization experience and mobile phone addiction (B = 0.178, LLCI = 0.136, ULCI = 0.222). Mindfulness moderated the effect of COVID-19 victimization experience on the college students’ future anxiety (B = 0.159, LLCI = 0.007, ULCI = 0.054). A higher level of mindfulness was more likely than a lower level of mindfulness to attenuate the effect of COVID-19 victimization experience on the college students’ future anxiety. These findings broaden our understanding regarding the association between COVID-19 victimization experience and mobile phone addiction and the moderating role of mindfulness.
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Zhao J, Ye B, Yu L, Xia F. Effects of Stressors of COVID-19 on Chinese College Students' Problematic Social Media Use: A Mediated Moderation Model. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:917465. [PMID: 35845464 PMCID: PMC9280152 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.917465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Isolation policies are long-term and strictly enforced in China during the COVID-19 outbreak. Social media might be widely used for communication, work, understanding the development of the epidemic, etc. However, these behaviors might lead to problematic social media use. The present study investigated the effect of stressors of COVID-19 on problematic social media use, as well as the internal mechanisms involved. METHODS One thousand three hundred seventy-three Chinese college students (M age = 19.53, SD age = 1.09) were recruited randomly from four grades who completed Coronavirus Stress Scale, Fear of Missing Out Scale, Problematic Mobile Social Media Usage Assessment Questionnaire, and Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy Scale. RESULTS Stressors of COVID-19 were positively related to problematic social media use. The link between stressors of COVID-19 and problematic social media use was mediated by fear of missing out. Additionally, the association between fear of missing out and problematic social media use, as well as the association between stressors of COVID-19 and problematic social media use were moderated by regulatory emotional self-efficacy. CONCLUSION The current findings reveal the mechanism that may be used to reduce the likelihood of problematic social media use in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak. To prevent and intervene in problematic social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study stressed the importance of decreasing the fear of missing out and enhancing regulatory emotional self-efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhao
- Center of Mental Health Education and Research, School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, China.,Mental Health Education and Counseling Center, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang, China
| | - Baojuan Ye
- Center of Mental Health Education and Research, School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, China
| | - Li Yu
- School of Education, Nanchang Institute of Science and Technology, Nanchang, China
| | - Fei Xia
- Center of Mental Health Education and Research, School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, China
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