Mindfulness Mediates the Longitudinal Associations of Problematic Smartphone Use with Psychological, Social, and Cognitive Adjustment

Smartphones have become an indispensable tool for many individuals. However, how and why the use of smartphones may be linked to individual adjustment remains underexplored, especially among non-students. This study examined the longitudinal associations of problematic smartphone use with depressive symptoms, social maladjustment, and cognitive problems and whether mindfulness mediated such associations in a community sample of Chinese women (87% aged between 31 and 50 years).

On two occasions separated by about 6 months, questionnaire data were collected from 236 Chinese women with kindergarten-aged children residing in Hong Kong, China. Women rated their problematic use of smartphones, depressive symptoms, social maladjustment, cognitive problems, as well as their mindfulness.

Path analyses indicated that problematic smartphone use was associated with an increase in depressive symptoms, social maladjustment, and cognitive problems over time. Moreover, such associations were mediated by a decrease in mindfulness over time.

Theoretically, findings highlighted the potential role of mindfulness in understanding the adjustment implications of smartphone use. Practically, findings pointed to the possible utility of targeting smartphone use and mindfulness as a means to promote the well-being of Chinese women.

This study had not been preregistered.