Abstract
Previous cross-sectional studies have suggested that addictive behaviors are associated with life stress; however, limited research has explored the longitudinal associations between problematic mobile phone use (PMPU) and academic stress from a developmental perspective. According to relevant theory (e.g., the stress hypothesis, compensatory Internet use theory, and self-determination theory), depression is thought to potentially mediate this association and interpersonal relationships might further play a moderating role. To examine the mediating roles of depression and the moderating role of interpersonal relationships between academic stress and PMPU, the method of longitudinal structural equation modeling was adopted. A total of 642 Chinese adolescents were recruited to complete four psychological tests at three 6-month intervals over 1.5 years. The results indicated that depression partially mediated the association between academic stress and PMPU (β = 0.232, p < 0.001; β = 0.220, p < 0.001; 95% CI = [0.154, 0.286]), and higher quality interpersonal relationships could attenuate the potential harmful effects of academic stress on PMPU through depression (β = -0.080, p < 0.01, 95% CI = [-0.137, -0.022]). Overall, our findings address the issue of how and when academic stress predicts time-lagged PMPU, which could enhance theoretical understanding and practical intervention over time.
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Data Statement
All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article and its supplementary information files.
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This research was supported by the National Social Science Fund of China (No. 17BSH102). Thanks for the support of the participating schools’ students and teachers.
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Yang, X., Liu, RD., Ding, Y. et al. Interpersonal relationships moderate the relation between academic stress and mobile phone addiction via depression among Chinese adolescents: A three-wave longitudinal study. Curr Psychol 42, 19076–19086 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-02951-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-02951-0