Bridging the links between Big Five personality traits and problematic smartphone use: A network analysis

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Digital Health

Background:

• Problematic smartphone use (PSU) comprises diverse symptoms, each linked to specific predisposing factors.
• The Big Five personality traits are frequently studied in relation to PSU, but trait-to-symptom associations remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate specific pathways connecting the Big Five personality traits to problematic smartphone use (PSU) symptoms.
• To analyze the bridging role of each Big Five personality trait within the PSU symptom cluster.

Main Methods:

• Network analysis using a regularised graphical Gaussian model on data from 1,849 Chinese university students.
• Assessment of PSU symptoms via the Problematic Smartphone Use Scale.
• Evaluation of Big Five personality trait facets using the Chinese Big Five Personality Inventory-15.

Main Results:

• Identified distinct pathways between personality traits and PSU symptoms (e.g., Neuroticism-Escapism/Avoidance, Conscientiousness-Preoccupation).
• Neuroticism exhibited the highest positive bridge centrality, while Conscientiousness showed the highest negative bridge centrality.
• Established specific trait-to-symptom connections and the influential bridging effects of personality traits.

Conclusions:

• Provided direct empirical evidence for the relationship between Big Five personality traits and PSU symptoms.
• Highlighted Neuroticism and Conscientiousness as key personality factors influencing PSU.
• Suggested these traits as potential targets for early detection and intervention strategies for problematic smartphone use.