The relationship between anxiety and problematic mobile phone use among Chinese college students: a moderated mediation model.

Background: Mobile phones have emerged as a pivotal medium for internet access among college students in China. However, excessive usage of mobile phones, leading to problematic mobile phone use (PMPU), has adverse effects on both their physical and mental health. Anxiety is associated with PMPU among college students, yet the mechanisms remain unclear. This study examines whether the fear of missing out on social media (FoMO-SM) and physical exercise mediates this relationship.

Methods: This study utilized a convenience sampling method to assess anxiety, PMPU, FoMO-SM, and physical exercise among 3,857 Chinese college students. The measurements included the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) - Anxiety Sub-scale, the Mobile Phone Dependence Scale, the Fear of Missing Out Scale, and the Physical Exercise Rating Scale (PARS-3). AMOS software was used to perform structural equation model fit tests and research hypothesis path analysis. Data statistics were analyzed using SPSS 29.0 for descriptive, correlation, and common bias test methods.

Results: Anxiety, PMPU, and FoMO-SM respectively, undertook a significant positive correlation (r = 0.722, r = 0.460), PMPU and FoMO-SM were significantly positively correlated (r = 0.510). FoMO-SM independently mediated the association between anxiety and PMPU, with an effect value of 0.022, 3% of the total effect, 95% CI [0.0097, 0.0344]. Physical exercise also played an independent mediating role between anxiety and PMPU, with an effect value of 0.266, accounting for 36.8% of the total effect, 95% CI [0.2494, 0.2831]. Chain mediation between FoMO-SM and physical exercise was significant between anxiety and PMPU, with an effect value of 0.082,11.4% of the total effect, 95% CI [0.0761, 0.0886].

Conclusion: This study further elucidates the intrinsic psychological mechanism underlying the relationship between college students' anxiety and problematic mobile phone use, determining that FoMO-SM and physical exercise play a mediating role in this relationship. This finding provides a substantial reference point for developing targeted and timely intervention strategies to address problematic mobile phone use among college students.