A longitudinal study on problematic smartphone use and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: the mediating role of academic procrastination and anxiety

Abstract

Problematic smartphone use is a possible risk factor for non-suicidal self-injury. However, little research explored the mechanisms underlying the association between problematic smartphone use and non-suicidal self-injury. We hypothesized that academic procrastination and anxiety may mediate the relationship between problematic smartphone use and non-suicidal self-injury. A total of 965 Chinese adolescents (492 males and 473 females, mean age = 15.96 years, SD = 0.47 years) completed questionnaires regarding problematic smartphone use, academic procrastination, anxiety and non-suicidal self-injury. The findings were as follows: (1) anxiety mediated the relation between problematic smartphone use and non-suicidal self-injury. (2) Academic procrastination and anxiety sequentially mediated the relation between problematic smartphone use and non-suicidal self-injury. The result reveals that problematic smartphone use has indirect effect on non-suicidal self-injury, which is mediated by academic procrastination and anxiety. The results offer valuable insights into the connections between problematic smartphone use and non-suicidal self-injury, highlighting the important role of anxiety in this dynamic. We can prevent maladaptive coping styles causing NSSI by improving the ability to regulate emotions.