Metacognitive-affective pathways linking intolerance of uncertainty with problematic smartphone use in emerging...

Emerging adulthood, a transition period in life, is highly intertwined with uncertainty and is thus potentially associated with increased vulnerability to maladaptive coping and problematic behaviors, including problematic smartphone use (PSU). The current study was designed to test not only the associations of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) with PSU tendencies but also the underlying (meta)cognitive and affective mechanisms. A sample of 566 participants who were 18-25 years old (M_age = 20.92, SD_age = 1.72; 65.3 % female) was collected. All participants completed an anonymous online questionnaire. The current results indicated a statistically significant positive association between IU and PSU tendencies. Path model further highlighted sequential mediating roles played by two components of metacognitive beliefs (i.e., negative beliefs about worry and cognitive confidence) and anxiety symptoms, underlying the IU-PSU link. Future interventions for PSU tendencies in emerging adults should consider metacognitive therapy, specifically targeting the two identified metacognitive risk factors, especially for those with IU and affective problems.