Mediating Effect of Psychological Symptoms in the Relationship between Self-Esteem and Smartphone Addiction

Abstract

Objective: The literature has extensively examined the relationship between self-esteem and smartphone addiction. However, few studies focus on the psychological mechanisms underlying this relationship. This study aims to evaluate the connection between self-esteem and smartphone addiction and explore the mediating effects of psychological symptoms in this relationship. Method: A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted using a convenience sampling method. The sample included 646 participants. Data were collected through the "Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale," the "Depression Anxiety Stress Scale," the "Smartphone Addiction Scale," and a "Demographic Information Form." Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationships between variables, while mediation analysis assessed the indirect effects of psychological symptoms on the relationship between self-esteem and smartphone addiction. Results: Self-esteem, anxiety, and stress were found to predict smartphone addiction. Anxiety and stress significantly mediated the relationship between self-esteem and smartphone addiction, whereas depression did not show a significant mediating effect. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of psychological symptoms in the complex interplay of factors contributing to smartphone addiction. It provides new evidence that can inform interventions in this area and expands the theoretical understanding of how smartphone addiction develops.

Keywords

• Smartphone addiction
• anxiety
• self-esteem
• depression
• stress

Benlik Saygısı ve Akıllı Telefon Bağımlılığı Arasındaki İlişkide Psikolojik Semptomların Aracılık Etkisi

Öz

Amaç: Alanyazında, benlik saygısı ile akıllı telefon bağımlılığı arasındaki ilişkinin birçok çalışmada incelendiği, ancak bu ilişkideki altta yatan psikolojik mekanizmalara odaklanan sınırlı sayıda çalışmanın olduğu gözlemlenmiştir. Bu çalışmada, benlik saygısı ve akıllı telefon bağımlılığı arasındaki ilişkinin ve bu ilişkide psikolojik semptomların aracılık etkilerinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Kesitsel ve tanımlayıcı nitelikteki bu çalışmada, kolayda örnekleme yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Çalışmanın örneklemini 646 katılımcı oluşturmaktadır. Veriler, "Rosenberg Benlik Saygısı Ölçeği", "Depresyon Anksiyete Stres Ölçeği", "Akıllı Telefon Bağımlılığı Ölçeği" ve "Demografik Bilgi Formu" kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Değişkenler arasındaki ilişkiler Pearson korelasyon analizi, psikolojik semptomların benlik saygısı ile akıllı telefon bağımlılığı arasındaki ilişki üzerindeki dolaylı etkileri aracılık analizi ile değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular: Benlik saygısı, anksiyete ve stres akıllı telefon bağımlılığını yordamaktadır. Ayrıca, benlik saygısı ve akıllı telefon bağımlılığı arasındaki ilişkide anksiyete ve stresin aracılık etkisinin anlamlı olduğu, ancak depresyonun aracılık etkisinin anlamlı olmadığı saptanmıştır. Tartışma: Bu çalışma, akıllı telefon bağımlılığını etkileyen karmaşık faktörler ağında psikolojik semptomların önemini vurgulamakta, bu alanda müdahale edilmesine yardımcı olabilecek yeni kanıtlar sunmakta ve akıllı telefon bağımlılığının nasıl geliştiğine dair teorik yapıyı genişletmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Akıllı telefon bağımlılığı
• Anksiyete
• benlik saygısı
• depresyon
• stres

Kaynakça

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