Perceived stress and mobile phone addiction in Chinese adolescents: A moderated mediation model

The present study tested the mediating role of self-control and moderating role of mindfulness in the link between perceived stress and mobile phone addiction. A sample of 899 Chinese adolescents completed measures of perceived stress, mobile phone addiction, self-control and mindfulness. Results showed that self-control partially mediated the association between perceived stress and mobile phone addiction. In addition, both the direct association between perceived stress and mobile phone addiction and the indirect effect of self-control were moderated by mindfulness, in that these effects were stronger for individuals with low mindfulness than for those with high mindfulness. These findings advance our understanding of how and when perceived stress is linked to mobile phone addiction. Limitations and implications of this study are discussed.