Avoidant attachment and smartphone addiction in college students: The mediating effects of anxiety and self-esteem

The actual frequency and duration required for smartphone use to become problematic are disputed.

“Because smartphones are easily accessible, and their use socially acceptable, the actual frequency and duration required for smartphone use to become problematic are disputed (Kim & Koh, 2018).”

Positive associations were found between loneliness and PSU, where individuals experiencing loneliness tend to rely more on their smartphone to connect with others, in turn leading to problematic behaviors.

“PSU, where individuals experiencing loneliness tend to rely more on their smartphone to connect with others, in turn leading to problematic behaviors (Bian & Leung, 2015;Enez;Enez Darcin et al., 2016;Kim, 2018;Lapointe et al., 2013;Mahapatra, 2019).”

A significant relationship was found between self-esteem and PSU, suggesting that PSU may be affected by an individual's confidence in their own worth or abilities.

“a significant relationship was found between self-esteem and PSU, suggesting that PSU may be affected by an individual's confidence in their own worth or abilities (Hong et al., 2012;Kim & Koh, 2018).”

Smartphone users in the adolescent age group are most at risk of PSU.

“with smartphone users in the adolescent age group most at risk (e.g., Chang et al., 2019;Kim & Koh, 2018).”

The influence of childhood maltreatment on problematic smartphone use is mediated by emotional intelligence, coping style, and psychological factors.

“Studies suggest that this influence is mediated by emotional intelligence, coping style, and psychological factors (e.g., Kim & Koh, 2018;Sun et al., 2019).”