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Qiu H, Lu H, Wang X, Guo Z, Xing C, Zhang Y. A moderated chain mediation model examining the relation between smartphone addiction and intolerance of uncertainty among master's and PhD students. Heliyon 2024; 10:e30994. [PMID: 38770334 PMCID: PMC11103524 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The theories of relational regulation and compensatory Internet use suggest that intolerance of uncertainty influences smartphone addiction (SPA), which in turn is influenced by other aspects. This study used previous results to examine how intolerance of uncertainty affects SPA in PhD and master's degree programs. A convenience sample comprising 1727 master's and PhD students (99.9 %; 50.7 % female; Mage = 27.71; SD = 3.80; range = 21-43) was recruited. Using established questionnaires, we measured SPA, anxiety, positive coping style, perceived social support, and intolerance of uncertainty. The results demonstrated that intolerance of uncertainty positively affects SPA in terms of predictive power. Furthermore, anxiety and positive coping style mediate that link in a cascade fashion. A greater SPA indicates that the individual is less likely to use a positive coping style, has a higher anxiety level, and has a lower tolerance for uncertainty. While thinking about how intolerance of uncertainty affects anxiety and positive coping style, perceived social support mediates the relationship. Intolerance of uncertainty has less impact on anxiety and positive coping style when perceived social support is high. These results indicate the possibility of examining SPA prevention and intervention from several angles. Therefore, emotional regulation, which modifies anxiety and the tendency to use a positive coping style, may reduce the impact of intolerance of uncertainty on SPA. Another successful strategy for reducing smartphone addiction is to provide social support from loved ones and the community at large.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Zhihua Guo
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, No. 169 West Changle Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710032, China
| | - Chen Xing
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, No. 169 West Changle Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710032, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, No. 169 West Changle Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710032, China
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Pu Y, Liu Y, Qi Y, Yan Z, Zhang X, He Q. Five-week of solution-focused group counseling successfully reduces internet addiction among college students: A pilot study. J Behav Addict 2023; 12:964-971. [PMID: 37966485 PMCID: PMC10786219 DOI: 10.1556/2006.2023.00064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims In the digital age, Internet addiction (IA) was deemed an epidemic and few treatments had been effectively developed for it. Here, we proposed a solution-focused group counseling (SFGC) as a potentially solution to reduce Internet addiction among college students. The present study examined the short- and long-term effect of a five-week solution-focused group counseling intervention on Internet addiction. Methods Thirty-two participants were recruited and randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group, and twenty-six participants completed the whole intervention. The experimental group (n = 14) received the intervention, while control group (n = 12) did not. The revised version of the Chinese Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS-R), the Future Time Perspective, and resting-state EEG were administered pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at two follow-up tests (one month and six months after intervention). Results The results showed that the scores of the CIAS-R in the experimental group were significantly decreased after intervention, and these effects could be sustained for one month and six months follow-ups. Additionally, the intervention conducted an increase in future time perspective. EEG results further suggested that the alpha, beta, and gamma absolute power decreased after the intervention. Conclusion These results from the pilot-study primarily suggested that solution-focused group counseling could be an effective intervention for Internet addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Pu
- 1Faculty of Psychology, MOE Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuting Liu
- 1Faculty of Psychology, MOE Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- 2Xiangcheng Dajiang Middle School, Chengdu, China
| | - Yawei Qi
- 1Faculty of Psychology, MOE Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ziyou Yan
- 1Faculty of Psychology, MOE Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xinhe Zhang
- 1Faculty of Psychology, MOE Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qinghua He
- 1Faculty of Psychology, MOE Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- 3Southwest University Branch, Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment Toward Basic Education Quality, Chongqing, China
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Xue L, Yan Y, Fan H, Zhang L, Wang S, Chen L. Future self-continuity and depression among college students: The role of presence of meaning and perceived social support. J Adolesc 2023; 95:1463-1477. [PMID: 37455393 DOI: 10.1002/jad.12219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Future self-continuity has been shown to have a protective effect against depression. This study aims to investigate the longitudinal relationship between future self-continuity and depression among college students, and to explore the mediating role of the presence of meaning and the moderating role of perceived social support. METHODS We conducted two studies in China in 2022 and 2023. Study 1 was a longitudinal cross-lagged study that examined the relationship between future self-continuity and depression among 173 participants (49.13% females, Mage = 19.39, SD = 1.63). Study 2 was a cross-sectional study that explored the mediating role of the presence of meaning and the moderating role of perceived social support among 426 participants (48.59% females, Mage = 19.30, SD = 1.60). RESULTS Study 1 showed that future self-continuity (T1) could significantly predict depression (T2), but depression (T1) could not predict future self-continuity (T2). Study 2 showed that after controlling for gender, the presence of meaning mediated the relationship between future self-continuity and depression, whereas perceived social support moderated the first half of the mediated model's pathway and the direct pathway. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that enhancing the future self-continuity of college students and increasing the level of presence of meaning are effective measures for alleviating depression. Meanwhile, educators and families are called upon to provide more social support to college students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Xue
- Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Yan
- Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Hang Fan
- Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Liping Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Siyun Wang
- Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Lipeng Chen
- Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
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Zhang Z, Lin Y, Liu J, Zhang G, Hou X, Pan Z, Dai B. Relationship between behavioral inhibition/activation system and Internet addiction among Chinese college students: The mediating effects of intolerance of uncertainty and self-control and gender differences. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1047036. [PMID: 36644769 PMCID: PMC9832708 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1047036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Internet addiction is a global public health issue among college students that is associated with a range of negative outcomes. Especially the COVID-19 pandemic has forced them to shift most of their studies and life activities from offline to online, leading to a growing problem of Internet dependence and even Internet addiction. Although previous studies have indicated that the Behavioral Inhibition/Activation System (BIS/BAS) have important effects on college students' Internet addiction, the mechanisms underlying these associations and gender differences are still unclear. Aims The present study investigated the mediating roles of intolerance of uncertainty and self-control in the association between BIS/BAS and Internet addiction following the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution model. Gender differences in such associations between variables were also tested. Method A total of 747 Chinese college students were surveyed by using Young's Diagnostic Questionnaire for Internet Addiction, BIS/BAS Scales, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale and the Brief Self-Control Scale. Results The results from the structural equation modeling analysis showed that BIS was positively related to Internet addiction and that BAS had a negative association with Internet addiction. Moreover, intolerance of uncertainty and self-control mediated the relationships between BIS/BAS and Internet addiction. Multi-group analysis further revealed that the associations between BAS and Internet addiction and between intolerance of uncertainty and Internet addiction were stronger among the male students than among female students. The relationship between self-control and Internet addiction was greater in the female sample than in the male sample. Conclusions These findings extend our understanding of how BIS/BAS influence Internet addiction among college students and suggest that not only should training approaches based on intolerance of uncertainty and self-control be fully considered, but different intervention programs should be focused on gender sensitivity to maximize the intervention effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Zhang
- School of Public Administration, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yan Lin
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Transplantation Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guangyu Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaowen Hou
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zequan Pan
- School of Public Administration, Central South University, Changsha, China,*Correspondence: Zequan Pan
| | - Bibing Dai
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China,Bibing Dai
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Sun C, Li Y, Kwok SYCL, Mu W. The Relationship between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Problematic Social Media Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Serial Mediation Model. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14924. [PMID: 36429643 PMCID: PMC9690134 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192214924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant interruptions to life certainty, and there has been a lack of research on the influence of uncertainty. The present research aimed to explore how intolerance of uncertainty, maladaptive coping strategies, and fear of missing out affect social media use in a Chinese community sample (N = 311) during the pandemic. Serial mediation analysis was applied, integrating the mediating role of maladaptive coping strategy and fear of missing out. Intolerance of uncertainty, maladaptive coping strategies, and fear of missing out was positively related to PSMU. Based on the mediation analysis, when age and gender were controlled, the direct effect of intolerance of uncertainty on PSMU was significant. The total indirect effect was also significant. The effect of intolerance of uncertainty on PSMU was mediated by maladaptive coping strategies and fear of missing out. Taken together, maladaptive coping strategies and fear of missing out played a serial mediating role between intolerance of uncertainty and PSMU. The findings imply that strategies to improve the tolerance of uncertainty, reduce fear of missing out, and relevant coping strategies could be potentially helpful in mitigating problematic social media use, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoran Sun
- Department of Behavioural and Social Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 518057, China
| | - Yumei Li
- Department of Behavioural and Social Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 518057, China
| | - Sylvia Y. C. L. Kwok
- Department of Behavioural and Social Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 518057, China
| | - Wenlong Mu
- School of Journalism and Communication, Wuhan University, Bayi Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan 430072, China
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