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Mobile Phone Addiction and Risk-Taking Behavior among Chinese Adolescents: A Moderated Mediation Model

Author

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  • Kai Dou

    (Department of Psychology and Research Center of Adolescent Psychology and Behavior, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China)

  • Lin-Xin Wang

    (Department of Psychology and Research Center of Adolescent Psychology and Behavior, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China)

  • Jian-Bin Li

    (Department of Early Childhood Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Guo-Dong Wang

    (Department of Psychology and Research Center of Adolescent Psychology and Behavior, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China)

  • Yan-Yu Li

    (Department of Psychology and Research Center of Adolescent Psychology and Behavior, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China)

  • Yi-Ting Huang

    (Department of Psychology and Research Center of Adolescent Psychology and Behavior, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China)

Abstract

Objectives : The mobile phone (MP) is an indispensable digital device in adolescents’ daily lives in the contemporary era, but being addicted to MP can lead to more risk-taking behavior. However, little is known about the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this relation. To address the gaps in the literature, the present study examined the idea that MP addiction is associated with reduced self-control, which further associates with increased risk-taking behavior. In addition, this study also investigated the moderation effect of adolescent sex in the association between MP addiction and self-control. Methods : A three-wave longitudinal study, each wave spanning six months apart, was conducted in a sample of Chinese adolescents (final N = 333, 57.4% girls). Results : Results of the moderated mediation model suggest that after controlling for demographic variables and baseline levels of self-control and risk-taking behavior, MP addiction at T1 positively predicted increased risk-taking behavior at T3 through reduced self-control at T2 for girls but not for boys. Conclusions : Theoretically, these findings contribute to the understanding about the working processes in the association between MP addiction and risk-taking behavior in adolescents. Practically, the results implied that boosting self-control appeared as a promising way to reduce girls’ risk-taking behavior, particularly for those who are addicted to MPs.

Suggested Citation

  • Kai Dou & Lin-Xin Wang & Jian-Bin Li & Guo-Dong Wang & Yan-Yu Li & Yi-Ting Huang, 2020. "Mobile Phone Addiction and Risk-Taking Behavior among Chinese Adolescents: A Moderated Mediation Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:15:p:5472-:d:391673
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Yan-Yu Li & Yi-Ting Huang & Kai Dou, 2021. "Validation and Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Version of the Fear of Missing Out Scale," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-10, September.
    2. Jian-Bin Li & Ying-Shuang Wang & Kai Dou & Ya-Fei Shang, 2022. "On the Development of Meaning in Life Among College Freshmen: Social Relationship Antecedents and Adjustment Consequences," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 1709-1735, April.
    3. Zi-Qin Liang & Kai Dou & Jian-Bin Li & Yu-Jie Wang & Yan-Gang Nie, 2022. "Linking Self-Control to Negative Risk-Taking Behavior among Chinese Late Adolescents: A Moderated Mediation Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-14, June.

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