Mediating Mechanisms and Intervention Strategies of the Bidirectional Relationship Between Mobile Phone Addiction and College Students' Depression

Xiaohong Wei; Jinjiang Xu; En Zhao; Meifen Song; Li Wu

doi:10.6918/IJOSSER.202606_9(6).0013

Authors

Xiaohong Wei
Jinjiang Xu
En Zhao
Meifen Song
Li Wu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6918/IJOSSER.202606_9(6).0013

Keywords:

Smartphone addiction; college students; depression; bidirectional effect; mediating mechanism; intervention strategy.

Abstract

With the widespread popularity of smartphones among college students, smartphone addiction (SA) has become increasingly prominent and evolved into a critical public health issue threatening college students’ mental health. Existing studies have confirmed a significant bidirectional correlation between smartphone addiction and college students’ depression. The two interact through multiple mediating pathways including neurobiology, sleep quality, cognitive function, individual psychological factors and external support, thus forming a vicious cycle. This cycle not only impairs students’ academic performance and social functioning, but also poses long-term risks to their physical and mental health. This paper systematically summarizes the bidirectional correlation characteristics between smartphone addiction and college students’ depression, analyzes group differences caused by gender, region and major background, and elaborates on five core mediating mechanisms: neurobiology, sleep quality, cognitive function, individual psychology and external support. By integrating available evidence-based interventions, it proposes two categories of intervention strategies oriented by cognition-emotion regulation and behavioral remodeling, so as to provide theoretical basis and practical guidance for mental health education and targeted intervention in colleges and universities.

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