Influence of leisure experiences on smartphone addiction and emotional distress

Abstract

ABSTRACT Smartphone use has substantially increased among college students in the U.S. Previous researchers have found excessive smartphone use to be one of several antecedents to negative behavioural and psychological health outcomes. However, there has been little research on the influences of various factors related to leisure experiences (i.e. leisure awareness, boredom, challenge, and distress) on negative behavioural and emotional problems. Therefore, we examined the effects of leisure experiences on smartphone addiction and emotional distress. Utilizing responses from undergraduate students (n = 601), a structural analysis was implemented to determine several hypothetical relationships. Results revealed that leisure awareness, boredom, and challenge significantly influenced the occurrence of smartphone addiction, but leisure distress did not. These results imply the important role of leisure experiences among college students. Leisure professionals should consider promoting various resources and activities to hold students’ interest in leisure activities and improve their psychological well-being.