The Relationship between Future Self-Continuity and Mobile Phone Dependence of College Students: Mediating Role of Self-Control

Abstract

The problem of mobile phone dependence is becoming more and more serious. Therefore, it is very important to explore the causes of mobile phone dependence and its psychological mechanism. One of the important characteristics of mobile phone dependence is the loss of control, which shows that self-control is an important factor affecting mobile phone dependence. Self-continuity is closely related to cell phone dependence. Mobile phone addicts usually use mobile phones to temporarily relieve the pressure and negative emotions, but it will lead to more pressure and negative emotions in the future. In order to examine the situation of college students’ future self-continuity, self-control and mobile phone addiction as well as their relationships, especially mediating effect of self-control, a total of 482 college students were assessed with Future Self-Continuity Scale (FSC), Self-Control Scale (SCS), and Mobile Phone Dependency Index (MPAI). The results showed that: (1) The future self-continuity, self-control and mobile phone dependence of the college students in this study were all at a medium level, and there was no significant difference in demographic variables (such as gender, grade, etc.); (2) Both future self-continuity and self-control were negatively correlated with mobile phone dependence; (3) There was a significant positive correlation between future self-continuity and self-control; (4) Self-control played a partial mediating role between future self-continuity and mobile phone dependence. Therefore, improving self-continuity and self-control can be an effective way to intervene mobile phone dependence. In addition research implication, limitations and future directions were discussed.