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Cited by 26Impact of Technology on AdolescentsAttachment and Relationship DynamicsTechnology Use by Older Adults

The Effect of Loneliness on Nomophobia: A Moderated Mediation Model

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Heng, Shupeng, Gao, Qiwei, Wang, Minghui·2023·Behavioral Sciences
DOI 10.3390/bs13070595PMC PMC10376443
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Abstract

A large number of studies have shown that loneliness is a positive predictor of nomophobia (no mobile phobia), but little research has examined the mechanism of this association. Drawing on attachment theory, the present study constructs a moderated mediation model to examine whether smartphone attachment mediates the relation between loneliness and nomophobia and whether this mediating process is moderated by attachment anxiety. A total of 598 college students in China were recruited to complete a questionnaire to measure loneliness, smartphone attachment, attachment anxiety, and nomophobia. A moderated mediation analysis was conducted. Our findings revealed that after controlling for gender, loneliness is positively associated with nomophobia. Meanwhile, smartphone attachment plays a mediating role in the relationship between loneliness and nomophobia. Furthermore, attachment anxiety moderates the mediated path through smartphone attachment, such that an indirect effect is much stronger for individuals with higher attachment anxiety relative to those with low attachment anxiety. The present study provides new insight into the complex processes in the association between loneliness and nomophobia, and the results have important theoretical and practical implications.

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  1. [8]Duy B. Impact of Psychological Counseling on Loneliness and Non-Functional Attitudes with Group Based on Cognitive-Behavioral Approach Master’s Thesis Ankara University Ankara, Turkey 2003 Available online: https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/ (accessed on 10 May 2022)
  2. [25]Lastovicka J.L. Sirianni N.J. Identity and consumption Beloved Material Possessions: Ends or Means? Belk R.R. Ruvio A. Routledge London, UK 2012 52 62
  3. [27]Thompson R.A. The development of the person: Social understanding, relationships, self, conscience Handbook of Child Psychology 6th ed. Vol. 3. Social, emotional, and personality development Damon W. Lerner R.M. Eisenberg N. Wiley New York, NY, USA 2009
  4. [29]Mikulincer M. Shaver P.R. Attachment in Adulthood: Structure, Dynamics, and Change The Guilford University Press New York, NY, USA 2007
  5. [35]Wang X.D. Wang X.L. Ma H. Handbook of Mental Health Assessment Scale (Updated Edition) China Mental Health Journal Press Beijing, China 1999 82 83

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Authors
Heng, S., Gao, Q., & Wang, M.
Affiliations
  • Henan University (CN)
  • Henan Normal University (CN)
Corresponding author
Wang, Minghui
ORCID
Venue
Behavioral Sciences
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2023-07-16
Volume
13
Issue
7
Pages
595
ISSN
2076-328X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/bs13070595
PMC
PMC10376443
OpenAlex
W4384616323
Cited by
14
References
34
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 5
FWCI
6.02
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Behavioral Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • Liberal arts and Social Sciences Foundation of Ministry of Education in China (19YJC190009, 2022SYJXLX022, 2023YB0041)
  • Undergraduate Research-oriented teaching reform Research and Practice Project in 2022 (19YJC190009, 2022SYJXLX022, 2023YB0041)
  • Education Scientific Planning Projects of Henan Province in 2023 (19YJC190009, 2022SYJXLX022, 2023YB0041)
  • Philosophy and Social Science Planning Project of Henan Province (19YJC190009, 2022SYJXLX022, 2023YB0041)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Technology Use by Older Adults
Keywords
loneliness, nomophobia, attachment anxiety, attachment theory, moderated mediation, university students, mobile phone dependence

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