Perceived stress and mobile phone addiction among Chinese undergraduate nursing students: the mediating role of organizational caring climate and self-control

Abstract

Objective: To examine the mediating roles of organizational caring climate and self-control in the association between perceived stress and mobile phone addiction among undergraduate nursing students, and to identify potential intervention targets for reducing MPA in clinical training contexts. Methods: Between February and May 2023, a total of 900 Chinese undergraduate students from 10 colleges completed questionnaires, resulting in a response rate of 98.47%. Measures included demographic characteristics, perceived stress, organizational caring climate, self-control, and mobile phone addiction. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 and the PROCESS macro. Results: Perceived stress was positively correlated with mobile phone addiction (r = 0.362, P < 0.01) and negatively correlated with organizational caring climate and self-control (r = -0.162 and −0.515, respectively; P < 0.01). Organizational caring climate was positively correlated with self-control (r = 0.152, P < 0.01) and negatively correlated with mobile phone addiction (r = -0.156, P < 0.01). Self-control was negatively correlated with mobile phone addiction (r = -0.468, P < 0.01). Mediation analyses indicated that perceived stress indirectly influenced mobile phone addiction through three pathways: the independent mediating effects of organizational caring climate and self-control, as well as their sequential mediating effect. Conclusion: A supportive organizational caring climate may enhance self-control among undergraduate nursing students, thereby buffering the adverse effects of perceived stress on MPA. Strengthening institutional care and individual self-regulatory capacity may be effective strategies for reducing problematic mobile phone use and promoting healthier clinical training outcomes.