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Self-Control and Perceived Parental Psychological Control? Their Links with Depression and Problematic Mobile Phone
Shixiu Ren1,2, Chengwei Zhu2, Jiale Li3
1Tianjin Academy of Educational Sciences, No. 25 Fukang Road, Nankai District, 300191, Tianjin, P.R. China.
Child Psychiatry and Human Development
|March 19, 2026
Summary
Higher self-control protects primary school students from depression and problematic mobile phone use, while parental psychological control increases these risks. Depression mediates these effects.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Problematic mobile phone use is increasing among students.
- Concerns exist regarding its impact on student mental health.
- Research is needed on protective and risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate self-control, parental psychological control, and depression as influences on problematic mobile phone use.
- To examine the mediating role of depression in these relationships.
- To identify protective and risk factors for problematic mobile phone use in primary school students.
Main Methods:
- A three-wave longitudinal study design was employed.
- 489 primary school students (4th and 5th grade) participated.
- Questionnaires assessed self-control, parental psychological control, depression, and problematic mobile phone use over one year.
Main Results:
- Higher self-control correlated with lower depression and less problematic mobile phone use.
- Higher perceived parental psychological control correlated with higher depression and more problematic mobile phone use.
- Depression mediated the relationships between self-control and problematic mobile phone use, and between parental psychological control and problematic mobile phone use.
Conclusions:
- Self-control acts as a protective factor against depression and problematic mobile phone use.
- Perceived parental psychological control acts as a risk factor for depression and problematic mobile phone use.
- Interventions should consider fostering self-control and addressing parental psychological control to mitigate risks.
Keywords:
DepressionMultiple wave designPerceived parental psychologicalPrimary school childrenProblematic mobile phone useSelf-controlMore Related Videos
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