Mobile phone dependency and sleep quality in college students during COVID-19 outbreak: the mediating role of bedtime procrastination and fear of missing out

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between mobile phone dependency, bedtime procrastination, FoMO, and sleep quality among college students during the COVID-19 outbreak. Specifically, we examined whether bedtime procrastination and FoMO mediate the relationship between mobile phone dependency and sleep quality. Methods A total of 881 college students completed an online survey in May 2022 in Shanghai, China. Mobile Phone Involvement Questionnaire, Bedtime Procrastination Scale, Fear of Missing Out Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used to assess mobile phone dependency, bedtime procrastination, fear of missing out, and sleep quality, respectively. Multiple linear regression and mediation analysis were conducted. Results The correlation analyses indicated mobile phone dependency was positively associated with fear of missing out, bedtime procrastination, and poor sleep quality among college students. The structural equation modeling analyses revealed that mobile phone dependency had significant indirect effects on sleep quality through bedtime procrastination (indirect effect: 0.030, 95%CI: 0.022–0.041) and fear of missing out (indirect effect: 0.013, 95%CI: 0.003–0.023). Conclusion The findings indicated that bedtime procrastination and fear of missing out are mediators mediating the relationship between mobile phone dependency with sleep quality. Bedtime procrastination and fear of missing out should be considered as potential intervention targets for reducing mobile phone dependency and improving sleep quality in college students.

Relationship between Problematic Smartphone Use, Sleep Quality and Bedtime Procrastination: A Mediation Analysis

“…Recently, different authors have conducted different studies based on mediational analyses observing how the impact of smartphone use (problematic or not) in sleep quality is mediated by bedtime procrastination, in addition to other variables such as selfregulation [95], psychological detachment [125] or fear of missing out (or FoMO) [126]. A similar phenomenon has been observed in the impact of problematic internet use and poorer sleep quality, mediated by bedtime procrastination [127].…”

The Association Between Bedtime Procrastination, Sleep Quality, and Problematic Smartphone Use in Adolescents: A Mediation Analysis

“… 41 In our study, the predominance of social network use among adolescents using smartphones in bed can be attributed to the tendency to use social media through smartphones to link with others during the pandemic. 25 The pleasure-oriented nature of social media applications and factors like adolescents’ low self-control pose risks for healthy sleep in this demographic. Furthermore, it has been found that smartphone usage varieties such as watching videos, playing games, and talking on the phone are also positively associated with PSU.…”

“… 44 , 45 This study confirms that bedtime procrastination plays a mediating role, as previous literature has shown a connection between bedtime procrastination and low sleep quality. 23 , 25 , 46 The literature explains bedtime procrastination associated with PSU with the nature of phone applications designed to keep users for a long time, losing time awareness while using the smartphone and taking time for oneself by using the smartphone after a busy day, smartphone use affects circadian rhythm and increased arousal pathways before sleep. 14 , 15 , 19 , 47 The indirect effects of bedtime procrastination behavior, a less explored topic in adolescents than adults, could guide future research examining mediating variables influencing sleep quality in adolescents.…”

“…Despite studies examining the mediating effect of variables such as self-regulation, bedtime procrastination, and fear of missing out on sleep quality on the effect of smartphone use in the adult age group, there are not enough studies in adolescence, which is a critical period for mental and physical development. 23 - 25 This study aimed to learn the frequency of smartphone use and types of activities in bed before sleep, the relationships, and sex differences between PSU, bedtime procrastination, and sleep quality in Turkish adolescents. In addition, the mediating effect of bedtime procrastination between PSU and sleep quality was also examined.…”

The relationship between mobile phone addiction and sleep quality in college students: the role of rumination and fear of missing out

“…More studies have con rmed that FOMO mediates the relationship between MPA and SQ from both cognitive and behavioral aspects [52]. In particular, the use of social media through mobile phones by college students who are accustomed to staying up late exacerbates FOMO, delaying sleep time from a behavioral point of view, increasing cognitive arousal [53], and worse SQ.…”