Multidimensional Profiles of Addictive Smartphone Use: A Latent Profile Analysis

Abstract

Given that crucial psychological attributes of smartphone addiction have been studied in isolation from each other, we examined latent profiles of emotional distress (depression, stress, loneliness, and fear of missing out; i.e., FoMO); protective traits (self-control, mindfulness, grit); the behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and approach system (BAS; drive, reward responsiveness, and fun seeking) in relation to addictive smartphone use. We identified three distinctive profiles, using five fit statistics: AIC, BIC, adjusted BIC, an entropy, and LRT. The self-controlled, gritty, and mindful profile (22.7%) was characterized by heightened levels of self-control, grit, and mindfulness but lower levels of emotional distress, BIS, and BAS. The emotionally distressed profile (29.8%) was distinguished by elevated levels of depression, stress, loneliness, FoMO, and BIS, but relatively lower protective traits and BAS. Lastly, the approach sensitive profile (47.5%) corresponded to the normative group characterized by relatively higher BAS but mostly average levels of emotional distress and protective traits. When both global and pairwise comparisons between profiles were performed using Wald tests, we found that the self-controlled, gritty, and mindful profile was associated with significantly lower smartphone addiction tendencies than emotionally distressed or approach sensitive profiles, while the latter two did not differ from each other. These results still held when multiple covariates (age, sex, and income) were controlled for. Using a sophisticated person-centered approach, our findings underscore multidimensional psychological profiles that have different associations with smartphone addiction.

Depression and stress are associated with latent profiles of problematic social media use among college students

“…The stress-buffering hypothesis posits that individuals with elevated levels of stress are more prone to exhibit heightened levels of sensation-seeking ( 82 ). One study found that people who scored high on aspects of the Behavioral Activation System (i.e., drive, reward responsiveness, fun seeking) were prone to smartphone addiction ( 23 ). Research on factors that contribute to addiction vulnerability indicates that sensation-seeking is a significant predictor of addictive behavior ( 56 ).…”

“…A latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted using M plus 8.3 ( 23 ), identifying subgroups of participants (latent profiles) who exhibited comparable responses on the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) items (i.e., similar levels of risk for developing problematic social media use). Fit indices of 1–6 profiles were extracted for model comparison using the robust maximum likelihood (RML) estimation.…”

“…However, there is heterogeneity in social media use among college students, and previous variable-oriented methods have not taken into account a wide range of individual differences ( 21 ). Therefore, comprehending the simultaneous functioning of multidimensional personal characteristics within individuals and their role in creating diverse subgroups with different levels of problematic social media use is crucial ( 23 ). Person-oriented methods gather data at the personal level and have the ability to identify significant patterns of traits within subgroups ( 21 ).…”

“…When college students perceive stress, they are inclined to seek out intense excitement and novel sensations and experiences, even if the situation contains danger and risk factors ( 56 ). It’s no wonder that individuals who are inclined toward excitement and enticed by incentives will frequently gravitate toward social media, considering its highly engaging nature and abundant options for amusement and enjoyment ( 23 ). Research consistently indicates that a propensity for sensation-seeking is linked to problematic social media use among late adolescents and adults ( 57 ).…”

Grit Perseverance, Not Passion, Moderates the Association Between Behavioral Inhibition/Approach System and Internet Addiction in Adolescents

“…Grit is defined as a combination of two facets: consistency or sustained interests and persistent efforts (hereafter referred to as passion and perseverance) for long-term goals despite setbacks. 32 Mounting studies have revealed that grit is negatively associated with addictive behaviors in students (mainly college students), including mobile phone addiction, 33 , 34 social media addiction, 35 and IA. 36 , 37 Several recent studies have indicated that grit is negatively associated with media device addiction, 38 smartphone addiction, 39 and IA in adolescents.…”