Understanding the Association Between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Problematic Smartphone Use: A Network Analysis
Liu C, Ren L, Li K, Yang W, Li Y, Rotaru K, Wei X, Yücel M, Albertella L
Frontiers in psychiatry · 24 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Cross-sectional study (classified by our AI screen)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
- Nonprofit
- Wilson Foundation
- Government
- Australian Government
- Government
- Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, India
- University or hospital
- Monash University
- University or hospital
- Fourth Military Medical University
- Government
- Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, Australian Government
- Government
- Medical Research Council
- Government
- Australian Research Council
- Government
- National Health and Medical Research Council
- Government
- Defence Science and Technology Group
- Grants
- Fourth Military Medical University (2021JSTS30); Australian Government (APP1117188); National Health and Medical Research Council (APP#1117188)
Based on 10 listed funder(s) and full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2022-07-11 · Front Psychiatry · vol. 13 · p. 917833
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media
- Cited
- 39 citations · more than 99% of similar papers · 13.7× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 57 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Mental Health Research Topics · Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Keywords
- intolerance of uncertainty, smartphone addiction, I-PACE model, university students, Chinese adolescents
9 authors
From AU, CN
- Chang LiuMonash University
- Lei Ren · correspondingAir Force Medical University
- Kuiliang LiArmy Medical University
- Wei YangXijing University
- Ye LiXijing University
- Kristian RotaruMonash University
Abstract
Background
Existing research has demonstrated that intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is associated with problematic smartphone use (PSU). However, little is known about how different IU components such as uncertainty-related beliefs, emotions, and behaviors may impact on different PSU symptoms.
Methods
Extending previous research, the current study examined the specific associations between IU components and PSU symptoms via a symptom-level network approach. A regularized partial correlation network consisting of different IU components and PSU symptoms was estimated among 1,849 Chinese university students. We examined pathways and influential nodes (i.e. central components/symptoms and bridge components/symptoms) within the IU-PSU network.
Results
The strongest pathway linking IU and PSU was between emotional reactions to uncertainty and coping-motivated smartphone use. Importantly, emotional reactions toward not having enough information (a reflection of emotional reactions to uncertainty) may act as both a central and a bridge component in maintaining the whole IU-PSU network.
Conclusions
The results are in line with the I-PACE model and highlight that PSU may be a coping response for negative emotions derived from uncertainty. Finally, the current findings highlight the potential of interventions targeting intolerance of uncertainty for reducing PSU.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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