The relationship between self-control and mobile phone addiction in Chinese college students: The mediating roles of fear of missing out and stress

Abstract Background: Mobile phone addiction has become a serious problem among college students. Studies have examined the relationship between self-control and mobile phone addiction; however, few have discussed the indirect mechanism. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of fear of missing out in the relationship between self-control and mobile phone addiction. Methods: 411 college students were random-sampling surveyed online using the Self-Control Scale (SCS), Fear of Missing Out Scale (FoMOS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Mobile Phone Addiction Index (MPAI). Mediating effect analysis was used to test the hypothesis. Results: The results showed that fear of missing out, stress, and mobile phone addiction were positively correlated, whereas self-control was negatively correlated with all three variables. Mediation analysis revealed that self control predicted mobile phone addiction not only directly but also through three indirect paths through the mediating role of (1) fear of missing out, (2) stress, and (3) the serial mediating role of fear of missing out and stress. Conclusions: This study expands the theoretical research on self-control and mobile phone addiction and provides theoretical support to interventions on college students' mobile phone addiction.