Self-control and problematic mobile phone use in Chinese college students: the mediating role of mobile phone use patterns.

Zhaocai Jiang,Xiuxin Zhao

doi:10.1186/s12888-016-1131-z

Abstract

BackgroundWith the popularity of mobile phones, problematic mobile phone use is getting increasing attention in recent years. Although self-control was found to be a critical predictor of problematic mobile phone use, no study has ever explored the association between self-control and mobile phone use patterns as well as the possible pathway how self-control affects problematic mobile phone use.MethodsFour hundred sixty-eight college students were randomly selected in this study. Data were collected using the Problematic Mobile Phone Use Scale, the Self-Control Scale, and the Mobile Phone Use Pattern Questionnaire. Statistical tests were conducted to identify the potential role of mobile phone use patterns in the association between self-control and problematic mobile phone use.ResultsIn this sample, female students displayed significant higher mobile phone dependence than males. Self-control was negatively correlated with interpersonal, transaction and entertainment mobile phone use patterns, but positively correlated with information seeking use pattern. Self-control could predict problematic mobile phone use directly and indirectly via interpersonal and transaction patterns.ConclusionsOur research provided additional evidence for the negative association between self-control and problematic mobile phone use. Moreover, interpersonal and transaction use patterns played a mediating role in this link.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12888-016-1131-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Highlights

With the popularity of mobile phones, problematic mobile phone use is getting increasing attention in recent years
Further analysis demonstrated that compared to males, females represented higher problematic mobile phone use in all four dimensions as well as higher scores in interpersonal, entertainment and transaction use patterns
The level of problematic mobile phone use positively correlated with use patterns of interpersonal, entertainment and transaction (r = 0.17– 0.27, p < 0.01 for all), whereas not significant correlated with information seeking use pattern (r = 0.03, p > 0.05)

Summary

Introduction

With the popularity of mobile phones, problematic mobile phone use is getting increasing attention in recent years. Self-control is considered as another critical psychological predictor of problematic mobile phone use [15, 16]. Since impulsivity is an important potential contributory factor to self-control [22], several studies have shown the vital role of impulsivity in mobile phone overuse [23]. Billieux and his colleagues measured the sub-dimensions of impulsiveness and found the urgency dimension was the strongest predictor of mobile phone abuse [24]. Researchers have questioned the direct association between selfcontrol and excessive mobile phone use [16], the possible pathway how self-control affects problematic mobile phone use requires further exploration

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