Exploring ostracism as a risk factor for smartphone addiction in young people: Resilience and nomophobia perspectives

Abstract

In today's world, the improper use of smartphones has become a growing problem. Such usage might be problematic as people see it as an escape from threats to their basic psychological needs caused by ostracism. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between ostracism and the risk of smartphone addiction. In addition, a moderated mediation model was explored to see whether nomophobia moderated the mediating role of resilience in the association between ostracism and the risk of smartphone addiction. The sample consisted of 320 young adults, ranging from 18 to 31 years. Data was gathered by using the Ostracism Experience Scale, the Brief Resilience Scale, Nomophobia Scale and Smartphone Addiction Scale. Results indicated a positive association between ostracism and the risk of smartphone addiction, and this association was mediated by resilience. While ostracism increases the risk of smartphone addiction, resilience emerges as a key ability in mitigating this undesired association. Furthermore, nomophobia moderated the mediating impact of resilience in the relationship between ostracism and the risk of smartphone addiction. Increased nomophobia put this mitigating influence of resilience in the shade. Resilience buffers the undesired relationship between social kiss of death (ostracism) and the risk of smartphone addiction in young individuals, but nomophobia frustrates this functional role of resilience. These findings were discussed in light of the relevant literature.