Anxiety symptoms and problematic smartphone use severity among Chinese college students: The moderating role of social support

Abstract

Increasing attention has been given to the role of anxiety symptoms in influencing problematic smartphone use (PSU). However, less is known about potential moderation mechanisms underlying this relationship. In the present study, we examined the relationship between anxiety symptoms and PSU severity, and whether this relationship was moderated by perceived social support. College students (N = 723) from China were recruited to complete questionnaires assessing anxiety symptoms, perceived social support, and PSU severity. The results showed that anxiety symptoms were positively associated with PSU severity, while perceived social support was negatively associated with PSU severity. Moreover, perceived social support positively moderated the relationship between anxiety symptoms and PSU severity; this relationship was significant at higher but not lower levels of perceived social support. These findings highlight the important role of perceived social support as a potential buffering factor for anxiety on PSU.