Problem-Solving Appraisal Mediates the Relationship between Smartphone Addiction and Indices of Psychological Distress: A Path Analytic Study

Abstract

Introduction. Smartphone addiction has consistently been identified as a risk factor for adverse mental health conditions Conversely, problem-solving appraisal has been recognized as a potential protective factor that may buffer the negative effects of adverse events. Objective. The current study examined the relationship between smartphone application-based addiction and indices of psychological distress, as well as the potential mediating role of problem-solving appraisal in this relationship. Method. Participants (n = 491) were students who completed the Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale, the Problem-Solving Inventory-20, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale-10, the 5-item version of the trait scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Beck Hopelessness Scale-9. Path analysis was used to examine the role of problem-solving appraisal in the relationship between smartphone addiction and indices of psychological distress. Results. The results of the path analysis showed that problem-solving appraisal partially mediated the relationships between smartphone addiction, on the one hand, and depression and anxiety, on the other hand. Moreover, problem-solving appraisal fully mediated the relationship between smartphone addiction and hopelessness. It also had significant direct effects on all three indices of psychological distress, demonstrating its protective and health-sustaining role. Conclusion. The significant direct and mediating roles of problem-solving appraisal highlight its potential as a protective factor, suggesting that interventions aimed at strengthening these perceptions may play a significant role in ameliorating the negative effects of smartphone addiction.