Effects of Online Social Support and Perceived Social Support on the Relationship Between Perceived Stress and Problematic Smartphone Usage Among Chinese Undergraduates

Abstract

Purpose Recent research has identified a relationship between perceived stress and problematic smartphone usage. However, little is known about the underlying mediating and moderating mechanisms. The present study aimed to test the relationship between perceived stress and problematic smartphone usage as well as the mediating role of online social support and the moderating role of perceived social support among Chinese undergraduates. Patients and Methods A sample of 1123 college students participated in the study. The Perceived Stress Scale, Mobile Phone Addiction Index Scale, Online Social Support Questionnaire, and Perceived Social Support Scale were used. Results Perceived stress was significantly and positively associated with problematic smartphone usage, and online social support partially mediated the relationship between perceived stress and problematic smartphone usage. Moderated mediation analysis suggested that perceived social support moderated the association between perceived stress and online social support. This relationship became stronger for college students with lower levels of perceived social support. Conclusion The results of this study can contribute to a better understanding of how perceived stress increases the risk of problematic smartphone usage. The importance of reducing online social support and enhancing perceived social support in preventing undergraduates’ problematic smartphone usage is highlighted. The findings should be taken with caution given the convenience sampling and cross-sectional study design.

A Double-Edged Impact of Social Smartphone Use on Smartphone Addiction: A Parallel Mediation Model

“…As a typical social use of smartphones, Facebook use has been found to enhance online social support (Liu and Yu, 2013). Online social support may have the same function as realistic social support (the care and support people feel or receive from real life), and can play a beneficial role (Cheung et al, 2017) or increase the risk of Internet addiction and smartphone addiction (Ding et al, 2013;Zhao et al, 2021). Others indicated that social smartphone use might not predict smartphone addiction.…”

Longitudinal Effects of Stressful Life Events on Problematic Smartphone Use and the Mediating Roles of Mental Health Problems in Chinese Undergraduate Students

“…College students are generally highly motivated to use smartphones and update them quickly, and they are also the fastest adopters and users of new applications and new programs ( 6 ). Recent researches show that college students generally own smartphones ( 7 , 8 ), excessive use of a smartphone can lead to problematic smartphone use ( 9 , 10 ).…”

“…Problematic smartphone use (PSU) refers to the excessive use of the smartphone or smartphone addiction in daily life, accompanied by dysfunction and symptoms similar to substance use disorder ( 11 ). PSU severity is associated with a wide variety of indicators, such as stress ( 10 , 12 , 13 ), symptoms of depression ( 12 , 14 , 15 ), poor sleep quality ( 15 , 16 ), and suicidal ideation ( 17 ). However, most of this research is based on cross-sectional studies, with only a few longitudinal studies examining risk or protective factors predicting PSU symptoms over time.…”

“…Stressful life events refer to the things that compel people to make changes in their ongoing life patterns ( 18 ), such as study pressure, and interpersonal tension ( 19 ). Stress has been well-documented as a risk element in the development of addiction and the vulnerability to relapse ( 10 , 12 , 20 ), and stressful life events have also been considered important factors potentially contributing to the development of PSU ( 13 ). Some authors conceptualize PSU as dysfunctional coping with everyday life ( 10 , 13 ).…”

“…Stress has been well-documented as a risk element in the development of addiction and the vulnerability to relapse ( 10 , 12 , 20 ), and stressful life events have also been considered important factors potentially contributing to the development of PSU ( 13 ). Some authors conceptualize PSU as dysfunctional coping with everyday life ( 10 , 13 ). Smartphone use has become a convenient and popular means for stress relief, entertainment, and social connection in young people ( 8 ).…”