Resilience and problematic smartphone use: a moderated mediation model.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Digital Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Problematic smartphone use (PSU) is increasingly recognized for its negative correlation with individual resilience.
• Further investigation is needed to fully understand the complex mechanisms linking resilience and PSU.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between resilience and problematic smartphone use (PSU) among Chinese undergraduate students.
• To investigate the mediating roles of perceived social support and school belonging in this relationship.
• To explore the moderating effect of habitual smartphone use on the resilience-PSU link.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study design was employed.
• Stratified random cluster sampling recruited 834 Chinese undergraduate students (aged 17-24).
• Self-reported questionnaires assessed resilience, perceived social support, school belonging, habitual, and problematic smartphone use.

Main Results:

• Resilience directly and indirectly predicted PSU, with perceived social support and school belonging acting as significant mediators.
• Habitual smartphone use demonstrated a significant moderating effect on the relationship between resilience and perceived social support, school belonging, and PSU.

Conclusions:

• This study confirms the negative influence of resilience on PSU, highlighting the mediating roles of perceived social support and school belonging.
• The findings underscore the significant moderation effect of habitual smartphone use in the development of PSU, offering insights for intervention strategies.