The Mediating Effect of Smartphone Addiction on the Relationship Between Social Skills and Psychological Well-Being

Abstract

AbstractSocial skills play a pivotal role in fabricating and consolidating social relationships. Presently, smartphones have completely changed the mode of social communication. Individuals equipped with adequate social skills may use smartphones for diverse purposes ranging from social needs and hedonic needs to cognitive needs. Despite having many advantages, smartphones also serve as a source of immediate gratification and may make individuals vulnerable to addiction to their smartphones with several consequences for their well-being. The study attempts to establish a model for analyzing the mediating effect that smartphone addiction may have on the relationship between social skills and psychological well-being. A sample of 509 adult participants from the capital and national capital region, India, responded to questionnaires related to social skills, smartphone addiction, and psychological well-being. Data retrieved from this phase was analyzed using PROCESS macro [7]. The mediation analysis yielded the following results: (I) Two dimensions of social skills, namely social expressivity, and emotional control, significantly predicted dimensions of smartphone addiction and psychological well-being. (II) Two dimensions of smartphone addiction- uncontrolled usage and cyberspace orientation, showed the full mediating effect on the relationship between social skills and psychological well-being. (III) Social expressivity positively influenced smartphone addiction (uncontrolled usage and cyberspace orientation), leading to diminished psychological well-being. (IV) On the contrary, emotional control curbed the tendency for smartphone addiction, resulting in better psychological well-being. The present study has many important implications for both researchers as well as to common masses. An effective intervention program based on emotional regulation and emotional control will help control the disadvantages of smartphone addiction, which will also help achieve greater psychological well-being levels.KeywordsSocial skillsSmartphone addictionPsychological well-beingEmotional controlCyberspace orientation