How and for Whom Is Mobile Phone Addiction Associated with Mind Wandering: The Mediating Role of Fatigue and Moderating Role of Rumination

Abstract

With the increasing prevalence of mobile phone addiction, mobile phone addiction has been considered a prominent risk factor for internalizing or externalizing problems, such as psychological distress and irrational procrastination. However, few studies shed light on the effect of mobile phone addiction on mind wandering and the underlying mechanisms. This study speculated that the direct effect of mobile phone addiction on mind wandering may be linked to fatigue and that the level of an individual’s personality characteristics, such as rumination, may influence both the direct and indirect effects of mobile phone addiction on mind wandering. To test these hypotheses, we recruited 1811 college students to complete the self-report questionnaires. The results indicated that mobile phone addiction was positively associated with mind wandering. This direct effect could be mediated by fatigue, and both the direct and indirect effects of mobile phone addiction on mind wandering could be moderated by rumination. Specifically, both the direct and indirect effects were stronger for students with high rumination. These findings enrich our understanding of how, why, and for whom mobile phone addiction is correlated with mind wandering.

The Relationships between Effortful Control, Mind Wandering, and Mobile Phone Addiction Based on Network Analysis

“…EC1 "activation control" had a negative BEI, suggesting it acted as a protective factor against developing mobile phone addiction and experiencing mind wandering, whereas MW1 "spontaneous thinking" featured a positive BEI, indicating its facilitation leading to the development and maintenance of mobile phone addiction. These findings were in line with previous studies that effortful control was a protective factor, and, in contrast, mind wandering was a risk factor for mobile phone addiction [44,88,89,107]. As mentioned above, the three bridge nodes exhibited elaborate connections with dimensions of mobile phone addiction.…”

“…MW1 "spontaneous thinking" was positively associated with MPT1 "withdrawal symptoms". This reciprocal link accorded with previous studies revealing that mobile phone addiction and mind wandering were positively connected and that mobile phone addiction explained about one third of variance in their level of mind-wandering among university students [88,89]. Our finding further uncovered that the fine-grained interrelation between mind wandering, and mobile phone addiction can be attributable mainly to the specific connection between the spontaneous thinking and withdrawal symptoms.…”

The Mediating Role of Rumination in the Relationship between Nomophobia and Depression

“…The increase in nomophobia levels is directly associated with the rise in students' depression levels, and this relationship becomes even more pronounced with the influence of rumination. The research findings parallel other studies conducted (Çelik and Alan, 2023;Aljomaa, et al, 2016;Heliyon, 2023;Frassini, et al, 2021;Al-Mamun et al, 2023;Sun et al, 2023;Lian et al, 2022;You et al, 2020;Gezgin et al, 2018;Langenecker et al, 2023;Gallagher et al, 2023;Li et al, 2023;Çağlar Özdoğan, 2023;Borders, 2020).…”

“…Research by Sun et al (2023) suggests that rumination regulates the relationship between thought flow, work conflict, and smartphone addiction, exacerbating smartphone addiction in individuals with high rumination levels. Lian et al (2022) indicate that mobile phone addiction is associated with mind wandering, regulated by thought flow, especially in individuals with high rumination levels. You et al (2020) demonstrate that internal thoughts and procrastination mediate the relationship between internet addiction and poor sleep quality, particularly in individuals with high rumination levels.…”

“…The connection between rumination and depression is crucial. Coping with nomophobia, constant thoughts about mobile phones may increase rumination, enhancing the likelihood of individuals exhibiting depressive symptoms over time (Sun et al, 2023;Lian et al, 2022;You et al, 2020;Gezgin et al, 2018). Rumination is not only associated with nomophobia but also with depression, as indicated by numerous studies emphasizing a strong relationship between depression and rumination (Longenecker et al, 2023;Gallagher et al, 2023;Li et al, 2023;Çağlar Özdoğan, 2023;Borders, 2020).…”