Coping styles among Chinese adolescents: The development and validation of a smartphone coping style scale

ABSTRACT Because of their entertainment functions and easy access, smartphones have become a popular means to help people cope with stress. However, there is not currently a validated set of measures for smartphone coping that captures the specific strategies people use when facing stress or difficulties, especially adolescents who suffer from psychological stress. This study aimed to develop a smartphone coping scale that includes specific strategies for adolescents. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, we first implemented focus groups and in-depth interviews to collect qualitative materials on smartphone coping. Then we constructed the initial items for the Smartphone Coping Style Scale. We next conducted exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses in one sample and assessed the reliability, stability, construct validity, criterion validity (anxiety/depression), and convergent validity (the Ways of Coping Questionnaire) in another sample. Three independent sub-components of smartphone coping were extracted: solving daily problems, distracting negative emotions, and seeking social support. The developed scale showed favorable levels of reliability, stability, and validity. The developed scale with three different subscales is a validated tool for capturing adolescents’ different smartphone coping styles and the scores of the three subscales should not be combined in practice. IMPACT SUMMARY Prior State of Knowledge: Previous literature advocated the importance of digital coping or regulation. Adolescence is a period of vulnerability to stress. Properly managing stress by using technology (e.g., smartphones) benefits adolescents’ health. However, it is unclear which smartphone coping styles adolescents use. Novel Contributions: This study first revealed the structure of adolescents’ specific smartphone coping styles, which include solving daily problems, seeking social support, and distracting negative emotion. The first two coping styles are more adaptive, whereas the latter is more less adaptive. Practical Implications: This study offers a reliable tool for researchers who are interested in exploring the impact of digital coping on adolescents’ development. Moreover, it informs policymakers and parents about adaptive types of smartphone coping, which should be encouraged to enhance the well-being of adolescents.