AUTHOR=Zhu Shuhua , Wang Lishen , Gan Yulu 

TITLE=Lying flat to play on smartphone excessively: the role of self-esteem

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1516869

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1516869

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=IntroductionWith the rapid development of their countries, Chinese young people today face intense stress. Some cope by striving for high-quality resources (involution), while others adopt a passive approach, lowering their desires (lying flat). This study explores the relationship between lying flat and problematic smartphone use (PSU), focusing on the role of self-esteem.MethodsWe conducted three studies (N = 886) using both cross-sectional (Study 1) and experimental (Study 2 and Study 3) designs to examine the correlational and causal links between lying flat, self-esteem, and PSU.ResultsThe studies demonstrated a significant relationship between lying flat and PSU, with self-esteem serving as a mediator. Additionally, Study 3 showed a causal effect of self-esteem on smartphone use desire.DiscussionThese findings provide insight into why and how lying flat affects self-esteem and smartphone use behaviors and desires, highlighting the psychological mechanisms behind the trends observed in Chinese youth.