AUTHOR=Qiu Huake , Lu Hongliang , Pei Jiawei , Zhang Yajuan , Ma Yongjie , Xing Chen , Wang Xinlu , Zhu Xia 

TITLE=Effects of chronic stress on smartphone addiction: A moderated mediation model

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1048210

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2023.1048210

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Based on the compensatory Internet use theory and diathesis-stress model, the present study explores the effects of chronic stress on smartphone addiction (SPA). As intolerance of uncertainty and emotion-related variables are important factors affecting addictive behavior, we further explore the mediating role of intolerance of uncertainty and the moderating role of emotional differentiation. We conducted a questionnaire survey of 286 participants (13.64% female; Mage = 22.88, SD = 3.77, range = 17–39) on chronic stress, SPA, intolerance of uncertainty, and emotional differentiation. SPSS 28.0 was used to analyze descriptive statistics and correlations and test the moderated mediation model. We find that (1) intolerance of uncertainty, SPA, and chronic stress are positively correlated with each other. Positive emotional differentiation is positively correlated with intolerance of uncertainty and negative emotional differentiation. (2) Intolerance of uncertainty plays a mediating role in chronic stress and SPA. (3) Positive emotional differentiation significantly moderates the relationship between chronic stress and SPA. Under the condition of low positive emotional differentiation, chronic stress is more effective in predicting SPA. These discoveries may contribute to intervention and prevention programs for SPA. Thus, the intervention and prevention of SPA can start from two directions—reduce the intolerance of uncertainty and enhance the ability to experience positive emotional differentiation.