Do self-control and negative emotions mediate the effects of physical activity on problematic mobile phone use? Insights from a meta-analytic structural equation modeling study

IF 3.6 2区医学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Addictive behaviors Pub Date : 2025-09-09 DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108478

Chaochao Wang, Pengwang Zhao, Min Liu

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

This study examined the relationships among physical activity, negative emotions, self-control, and problematic mobile phone use, focusing on mediating mechanisms and the moderating role of specific negative emotions (depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness).

Methods

Meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM) was applied to pooled data from 23 studies (N = 65,507) to estimate direct and indirect effects.

Results

Results revealed significant correlations, with the strongest between negative emotions and problematic mobile phone use (r = 0.484) and the weakest between physical activity and problematic mobile phone use (r = −0.285). Depressive symptoms showed the strongest association with problematic use (r = 0.656), followed by stress (r = 0.599) and anxiety (r = 0.491). MASEM indicated a total effect of physical activity on problematic mobile phone use (β = −0.395, p < 0.001), with a minor direct effect (β = −0.069) and two dominant indirect pathways: (1) physical activity → self-control → problematic mobile phone use (β = −0.157) and (2) physical activity → negative emotions → problematic mobile phone use (β = −0.169).

Conclusion

Findings demonstrate that physical activity reduces problematic use primarily by mitigating negative emotions (especially depression and stress) and improving self-control. Notably, these variable associations exhibit greater strength within the university student population. Interventions should integrate emotion regulation and self-control strategies to effectively address smartphone dependency and promote healthier behaviors.

查看原文本刊更多论文

自我控制和负面情绪是否介导了身体活动对问题手机使用的影响？来自元分析结构方程建模研究的见解。

目的：研究体育活动、负面情绪、自我控制与问题手机使用的关系，重点研究特定负面情绪（抑郁、焦虑、压力、孤独）的中介机制和调节作用。方法：采用meta分析结构方程模型（MASEM）对23项研究（N = 65,507）的汇总数据进行估计直接和间接影响。结果：研究结果显示负性情绪与问题手机使用的相关性显著，其中负性情绪与问题手机使用的相关性最强（r = 0.484），体力活动与问题手机使用的相关性最弱（r = -0.285）。抑郁症状与问题性使用的相关性最强（r = 0.656），其次是压力（r = 0.599）和焦虑（r = 0.491）。MASEM显示体育活动对问题手机使用的总体影响（β = -0.395, p）。结论：研究结果表明，体育活动主要通过减轻负面情绪（尤其是抑郁和压力）和提高自我控制能力来减少问题手机使用。值得注意的是，这些可变关联在大学生群体中表现出更大的强度。干预措施应结合情绪调节和自我控制策略，以有效解决智能手机依赖问题，促进更健康的行为。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Addictive behaviors 医学-药物滥用

CiteScore

8.40

自引率

4.50%

发文量

283

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Addictive Behaviors is an international peer-reviewed journal publishing high quality human research on addictive behaviors and disorders since 1975. The journal accepts submissions of full-length papers and short communications on substance-related addictions such as the abuse of alcohol, drugs and nicotine, and behavioral addictions involving gambling and technology. We primarily publish behavioral and psychosocial research but our articles span the fields of psychology, sociology, psychiatry, epidemiology, social policy, medicine, pharmacology and neuroscience. While theoretical orientations are diverse, the emphasis of the journal is primarily empirical. That is, sound experimental design combined with valid, reliable assessment and evaluation procedures are a requisite for acceptance. However, innovative and empirically oriented case studies that might encourage new lines of inquiry are accepted as well. Studies that clearly contribute to current knowledge of etiology, prevention, social policy or treatment are given priority. Scholarly commentaries on topical issues, systematic reviews, and mini reviews are encouraged. We especially welcome multimedia papers that incorporate video or audio components to better display methodology or findings. Studies can also be submitted to Addictive Behaviors? companion title, the open access journal Addictive Behaviors Reports, which has a particular interest in ''non-traditional'', innovative and empirically-oriented research such as negative/null data papers, replication studies, case reports on novel treatments, and cross-cultural research.