Influence of smartphone addiction on suicidal ideation and nonsuicidal self-injury among college students: The mediating role of self-concealment

Recent studies have highlighted mobile phone addiction (MPA) as a potential risk of suicidal ideation. However, the mechanisms underlying that association require attention. This investigation aims to examine whether the relationship between MPA and suicidal ideation would be mediated by depression, and buffered by online social support (OSS) in university students. A convenient sample of 1,042 Chinese university students completed the measures of mobile phone addiction, depression, suicidal ideation, OSS in classroom settings. Moderated mediation analyses were performed to test the roles of depression and OSS in the association between MPA and suicidal ideation. MPA was positively associated with suicidal ideation through depression (indirect effect =. 23, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.28, p < 0.001); OSS moderated the association between depression and suicidal ideation (B = - 0.09, 95% CI: -0.13, -0.04, p < 0.001). Specifically, the effect of depression on suicidal ideation was weaker in individuals with high (versus low) OSS. OSS moderated the association between MPA and suicidal ideation (B = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.10, p = 0.001). The influence of MPA on suicidal ideation was non-significant among individuals with high OSS but negatively significant among students with low OSS. The results enrich the understanding of how MPA may increase suicidal ideation, and highlight the potential importance of reducing depression and enhancing OSS to prevent suicidal ideation in university students.

BackgroundsNon-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has long affected people's lives and is an important and serious public health issue, especially among college students. This study aims to identify modifiable factors, including problematic mobile phone use (PMPU) and mental health (MH), etc. Only a few studies have mentioned the correlation between PMPU and NSSI, this study focus on its association with suicide, and whether this association is moderated by chronotype and MH needs to be confirmed by research.MethodsA cross-sectional study design investigated the association between PMPU, chronotype and MH and NSSI. We collected information from participants using an electronic questionnaire that included general demographics, PMPU, NSSI, and sleep-related variables (chronotype, weekday and weekend sleep duration). Participants completed standardized questionnaires, including mobile phone addiction tendency scale (MPATS) for PMPU, the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) for chronotype, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression symptoms, Generalized Anxiety Scale (GAD-7) for anxiety symptoms, and the non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) for suicide risk. A multivariable linear regression model measure these variables, and moderation model which using the PROCESS method examined the relationship of PMPU, chronotype and MH and NSSI.ResultsA total of 5639 adolescents were included in the study, with a mean age of 19.64 [± 0.90] years), and 46.3% of the participants were male. The prevalence of NSSI was 12.1%, in multivariate linear regression, high levels of PMPU (β = 0.362), eveningness (β = 0.665), depression (β = 1.183), and anxiety (β = 1.308) were all associated with higher NSSI, indicating a significant association. In the analysis results of moderation, chronotype and MH also moderated the relationship between PMPU and NSSI, indicating that there was a relationship between PMPU, chronotype, MH and NSSI.ConclusionsThis study highlights the important role of PMPU and mental health in predicting NSSI. Interventions targeting these modifiable factors may help reduce the prevalence of NSSI among young adults. Improving sleep hygiene, reducing mobile phone abuse, and providing appropriate psychological support are effective strategies to prevent NSSI. Educational institutions and society should strengthen guidance on the proper use of digital media by young people, especially among college students, promote healthy lifestyles, and establish early identification and support systems to help those individuals at risk.

BackgroundPeer victimization (PV) is one of the major causes of non-suicidal self-injury. Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), peer victimization, social anxiety, and mobile phone addiction are significantly related; however, the interaction mechanism and effect of sex differences remain to be determined.ObjectiveHerein, we investigated the relationship between peer victimization and NSSI among Chinese high school students. We also explored the chain mediating roles of social anxiety and mobile phone addiction and the regulatory role of sex. The findings of this study provide insights for theoretical interventions based on internal mechanisms.MethodA self-reported survey of 14,666 high school students from Sichuan County was conducted using a peer victimization scale, NSSI scale, social anxiety scale, and mobile phone addiction scale. A self-administered questionnaire was used to capture sociodemographic information.ResultsPeer victimization, social anxiety, and mobile phone addiction were positively correlated with NSSI. Peer victimization had significant direct predictive effects on NSSI (95% CI: 0.341, 0.385) and significant indirect predictive effects on NSSI through social anxiety (95% CI: 0.008, 0.019) or mobile phone addiction (95% CI: 0.036, 0.053). Peer victimization had significant indirect predictive effects on NSSI through social anxiety as well as mobile phone addiction (95% CI: 0.009, 0.014). The first stage (predicting the effect of peer victimization on NSSI) and the third stage (predicting the effect of mobile phone addiction on NSSI) were both moderated by sex.ConclusionsPeer victimization could directly predict NSSI and indirectly predict NSSI through social anxiety and mobile phone addiction. Thus, social anxiety and mobile phone addiction exhibited chain mediating effects between peer victimization and NSSI in high school students; moreover, sex might be involved in the regulation of the mediation process.

Problematic smartphone use is a possible risk factor for non-suicidal self-injury. However, little research explored the mechanisms underlying the association between problematic smartphone use and non-suicidal self-injury. We hypothesized that academic procrastination and anxiety may mediate the relationship between problematic smartphone use and non-suicidal self-injury. A total of 965 Chinese adolescents (492 males and 473 females, mean age = 15.96 years, SD = 0.47 years) completed questionnaires regarding problematic smartphone use, academic procrastination, anxiety and non-suicidal self-injury. The findings were as follows: (1) anxiety mediated the relation between problematic smartphone use and non-suicidal self-injury. (2) Academic procrastination and anxiety sequentially mediated the relation between problematic smartphone use and non-suicidal self-injury. The result reveals that problematic smartphone use has indirect effect on non-suicidal self-injury, which is mediated by academic procrastination and anxiety. The results offer valuable insights into the connections between problematic smartphone use and non-suicidal self-injury, highlighting the important role of anxiety in this dynamic. We can prevent maladaptive coping styles causing NSSI by improving the ability to regulate emotions.

The present study aimed to investigate the longitudinal and reciprocal relationships among problematic smartphone use (PSU), depressive symptoms (DS), and suicidal ideation (SI) in Chinese university students. Using a cross-lagged design, the Mobile Phone Addiction Inventory Scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the Self-Rating Idea of Suicide Scale as research instruments, 194 university students completed a questionnaire four consecutive times. June of Year 1, December of Year 2, June of Year 2, and December of Year 3 of their college study. We refer to these as the Time 1 (T1), Time 2 (T2), Time 3 (T3), and Time 4 (T4) assessments, respectively. The levels of PSU and DS fluctuated significantly over time. DS at T1 was significantly predicted to influence SI at T2 (β = 0.17, p < .05); DS at T3 was significantly predicted by PSU and by SI at T2 (respectively, β = 0.30, p < .05; β = 0.21, p < .05); DS at T2 significantly predicted PSU at T3 (β = 0.14, p < .05); and DS at T3 significantly predicted SI at T4 (β = 0.14, p < .05) in the cross-lagged pathway. DS at T3 fully mediated the relationship between PSU at T2 and SI at T4 (indirect effect: β = 0.133, 95% CI = [0.063, 0.213]). The results suggest that there is a reciprocal relationship between PSU and DS and, furthermore, that DS plays an important mediating role between PSU and SI. Our results suggest the importance of early identification and treatment of SI. Timely reduction of PSU and improvement of DS among university students may help prevent SI.

BackgroundPrevious research has found a relationship between problematic mobile phone use (PMPU) and suicidality. However, few studies have examined the interaction effects between low physical activity (PA) and PMPU on suicidality among college students. This study aimed to examine the interactions of PA and PMPU and their impact on suicidality in a school-based sample among Chinese college students.MethodsAnalysis is based on date from two university in China, which recruited 4787 participants. Binomial logistic regression models were used to explore the associations of PA, PMPU with suicidal ideation and suicide attempt, as well as the interaction of PA and PMPU with suicidality.ResultsThe prevalence of suicide attempt and suicidal ideation were 3.5 and 7.2%, respectively. Low PA was significantly associated with suicide attempt (OR = 3.48, 95%CI: 2.52–4.81) and suicidal ideation (OR = 1.90, 95%CI: 1.46–2.46). PMPU was significantly associated with suicide attempt (OR = 3.65, 95%CI: 2.66–5.01) and suicidal ideation (OR = 2.83, 95%CI: 2.25–3.54). Interaction analysis indicated that low PA and PMPU were interactively associated with suicide attempt (OR = 9.51, 95%CI: 6.15–14.73, P < 0.001), RERI = 4.85(1.20–8.50), AP = 0.51(0.29–0.73), SI = 2.32(1.34–4.04). There was no additive interaction effects between PA and PMPU on suicidal ideation.ConclusionsThe findings reveals that the intervention programs of suicide attempt should consider the students PA levels and PMPU.

The relationship between mobile phone addiction and non-suicidal self-injury: Findings from six universities in Shaanxi province, China

Childhood maltreatment and its dose-response relation with non-suicidal self-injury among adolescents: The mediating role of mobile phone addiction.

This study was conducted to identify factors related to subjective happiness Index and by analyzing students, health behavior, smart phone addiction, suicidal Ideation, and in order to develop appropriate measure tp prevent suicide among university students. Methods: From November 19, 2012 until December 14, 2012, 300 college students from one of the iniversities located at K city were surveyed. Data were analyzed using with SPSS window 18.0. Results: The mean score for college students' subjective happiness Index was 4.58 on a scale of 7. There were significant differences on the Subjective happiness Index for the following areas: sex, parental survival & living and household monthly income. There was a negative correlation among the subjective happiness Index, smart phone addiction, suicidal Ideation. Conclusion: Results indicate that factors influencing Subjective happiness are smart phone addiction, suicidal ideation. We suggest that need to establish policies providing family support, smartphone addiction prevention program suicide prevention program to improve a level of happiness.

Mobile phones are becoming indispensable for life and have changed various aspects of people's lives. The psychological impacts of excessive mobile phone use have emerged as an impressive problem among college students. However, little is known about the associations of mobile phone addiction with suicide ideation and suicide attempt. A cross-sectional study was conducted with students from six universities in 2022. We collected the socio-demographic characteristics, suicide ideation, suicide attempt, psychosocial factors (depressive symptoms, social support, sleep quality), and health-related characteristics (smoking, drinking, body mass index). Mobile phone addiction was ascertained by the Mobile Phone Addiction Tendency Scale (MPATS). The associations of mobile phone addiction with suicide ideation and suicide attempt were estimated using binary logistic regression and restricted cubic splines regression. A total of 18,723 college students [6,531 males (34.9%) and 12,192 females (65.1%)] were included in the final analysis. Eleven percent of participants had a history of suicide ideation, and 1.8% of participants had engaged in suicide attempt. A total of 5,553 students (29.7%) met the criteria of mobile phone addiction (MPATS score ≥48), and the average score on the MPATS was 39.5 ± 13.0. After adjustment for potential covariates, mobile phone addiction was significantly associated with increased odds of suicide ideation (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.53-1.88) and suicide attempt (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.18-1.86). Gender did not affect the associations of mobile phone addiction with suicide ideation and suicide attempt (P for interaction > 0.05). The restricted cubic splines regression displayed a nonlinear dose-response association between MPATS score and risk of suicide ideation (P for non-linearity < 0.001), while a monotonically increasing risk of suicide attempt was found to be associated with an increasing MPATS score (P for non-linearity = 0.420). Mobile phone addiction is associated with suicide ideation and suicide attempt among college students. The findings indicate that early examination, prevention, and intervention for mobile phone addiction may benefit the prevent and control of suicide.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between mobile phone dependency, bedtime procrastination, FoMO, and sleep quality among college students during the COVID-19 outbreak. Specifically, we examined whether bedtime procrastination and FoMO mediate the relationship between mobile phone dependency and sleep quality.MethodsA total of 881 college students completed an online survey in May 2022 in Shanghai, China. Mobile Phone Involvement Questionnaire, Bedtime Procrastination Scale, Fear of Missing Out Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used to assess mobile phone dependency, bedtime procrastination, fear of missing out, and sleep quality, respectively. Multiple linear regression and mediation analysis were conducted.ResultsThe correlation analyses indicated mobile phone dependency was positively associated with fear of missing out, bedtime procrastination, and poor sleep quality among college students. The structural equation modeling analyses revealed that mobile phone dependency had significant indirect effects on sleep quality through bedtime procrastination (indirect effect: 0.030, 95%CI: 0.022–0.041) and fear of missing out (indirect effect: 0.013, 95%CI: 0.003–0.023).ConclusionThe findings indicated that bedtime procrastination and fear of missing out are mediators mediating the relationship between mobile phone dependency with sleep quality. Bedtime procrastination and fear of missing out should be considered as potential intervention targets for reducing mobile phone dependency and improving sleep quality in college students.

The effects of alexithymia, experiential avoidance, and childhood sexual abuse on non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal ideation among Chinese college students with a history of childhood sexual abuse

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is prevalent among adolescents. Low health literacy (HL) and problematic mobile phone use (PMPU) are risk factors of NSSI. But so far, no study has examined the interactive role of HL and PMPU on NSSI. In this context, the present study aimed to examine the interactions of HL and PMPU and their impact on NSSI in a school-based sample of Chinese adolescents. A total of 22,628 junior and high school students (10,990 males and 11,638 females) were enrolled in this study. The outcomes were self-reported HL, PMPU and NSSI. Analyses were conducted with chi-square tests and logistic regression models. The prevalence of NSSI was 32.1%. Low HL and PMPU were significantly associated with NSSI independently (ORlow HL = 1.886, 95% CI = 1.723–2.065, ORPMPU = 2.062, 95% CI = 1.934–2.199). Interaction analysis indicated that low HL and PMPU were interactively associated with increased risks of NSSI (OR = 2.617, 95% CI = 2.375–2.884). In all, our findings indicate that HL and PMPU are associated with NSSI independently and interactively. The intervention programs of NSSI should consider the adolescents HL levels and PMPU.

Suicide is a major public health concern accounting for 800 000 deaths globally each year. Although there have been many advances in understanding suicide risk in recent decades, our ability to predict suicide is no better now than it was 50 years ago. There are many potential explanations for this lack of progress, but the absence, until recently, of comprehensive theoretical models that predict the emergence of suicidal ideation distinct from the transition between suicidal ideation and suicide attempts/suicide is key to this lack of progress. The current article presents the integrated motivational–volitional (IMV) model of suicidal behaviour, one such theoretical model. We propose that defeat and entrapment drive the emergence of suicidal ideation and that a group of factors, entitled volitional moderators (VMs), govern the transition from suicidal ideation to suicidal behaviour. According to the IMV model, VMs include access to the means of suicide, exposure to suicidal behaviour, capability for suicide (fearlessness about death and increased physical pain tolerance), planning, impulsivity, mental imagery and past suicidal behaviour. In this article, we describe the theoretical origins of the IMV model, the key premises underpinning the model, empirical tests of the model and future research directions.

Background: Prevailing literature supported the relationship among deliberate self-harm, depression, and mood swings, a noticeable risk variable of suicide in youth. The purpose of present study was to examine the potential mediation of suicidal ideation in the relationship among deliberate self-harm, depression, positive and negative affect in male and female university students. However, there is a lack of clarity and scarcity of previous studies on above subject matter globally. Methods: In present study, a purposive sampling technique and cross-sectional design were used. 200 university students with self-harm tendency, age ranged from 18 to 24 (M = 20.15, SD = 10.02) years, they were enrolled from different public and private universities of twin’s cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, in 2020. Four instruments, Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation, Inventory of Statement about Self-Injury (ISAS), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule were used to examine deliberate self-harm, suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, stress, negative and positive affect in university students. Results: The results of study revealed that suicidal ideation was positively significantly associated with deliberate self-harm, depression and stress in university students. Further, deliberate self-harm was positively significantly associated with stress, anxiety, and depression. Moreover, this study revealed that suicidal ideation partial mediated between deliberate self-harm and positive affect in male university students. Conclusions: The findings of present study recommended that both deliberate self-harm and suicide ideation could be stimulated mental health problems including stress, depression, and mood swings in university students. Moreover, this study illustrated the need for early screening of deliberate self-harm to prevent and tackle the risk of mental health issues including suicidal ideation, depression and moods swings.