The relationship between loneliness and problematic smartphone use among adolescents during the COVID‐19 pandemic: The mediating role of negative emotions and maladaptive coping

Abstract

IntroductionGiven the observed increased feelings of loneliness and problematic smartphone use among adolescents during the COVID‐19 pandemic, further research was needed to determine whether and how the increased loneliness of adolescents during such major public health crisis events affects the risk of problematic smartphone use among adolescents. This study aimed to examine the relationship between loneliness and problematic smartphone use among Chinese adolescents (aged 10–16 years) during the COVID‐19 pandemic and to investigate the possible mediating role of negative emotions and maladaptive coping.MethodsA total of 672 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 13.05, SD = 1.51, 50.4% boys, 93.8% from rural areas, 22.5% of whom were only children) took part in this cross‐sectional study in April 2022 by completing the Chinese adolescent version of the Loneliness Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (subscale), the Ways of Coping Questionnaire, and the Mobile Phone Addiction Index Scale.ResultsThe serial mediation model revealed that negative emotions and maladaptive coping independently mediated the relationship between adolescents' loneliness and problematic smartphone use. In addition, the mediation effects of “negative emotions‐maladaptive coping” could also mediate the relationship between loneliness and problematic smartphone use.ConclusionsLoneliness may be positively related to problematic smartphone use through negative emotions and maladaptive coping among adolescents during major public health crisis events, such as the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Problematic mobile phone use and time management disposition in Chinese college students: the chain mediating role of sleep quality and cognitive flexibility

“…The participants in current study exhibited a higher level of PMPU compared to a previous study conducted in Heilongjiang Province, China (mean of the sum score: 5.13 ± 1.53) [ 42 ]. In addition to the influence of COVID-19 [ 9 ], geographic factors may affect students’ PMPU. For instance, adults in municipalities reported a longer duration of mobile phone use in a previous study [ 43 ].…”

“…A large-scale study found that the prevalence of problematic mobile phone use was as high as 27.5% among Chinese college students [ 8 ]. Due to the heightened loneliness resulting from home quarantine and increased negative emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic, smartphone addiction has become a prominent issue among students in mainland China [ 9 ]. Extensive research substantiates that PMPU adversely affects individuals, leading to issues such as the difficulty concentrating, an increased risk of suicide, and depression [ 10 , 11 ].…”