Understanding the Association Between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Problematic Smartphone Use: A Network Analysis
BackgroundExisting research has demonstrated that intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is associated with problematic smartphone use (PSU). However, little is known about how different IU components such as uncertainty-related beliefs, emotions, and behaviors may impact on different PSU symptoms.MethodsE...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.917833/full |
| _version_ | 1818488708859428864 |
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| author | Chang Liu Lei Ren Kuiliang Li Wei Yang Ye Li Kristian Rotaru Kristian Rotaru Xinyi Wei Murat Yücel Lucy Albertella |
| author_facet | Chang Liu Lei Ren Kuiliang Li Wei Yang Ye Li Kristian Rotaru Kristian Rotaru Xinyi Wei Murat Yücel Lucy Albertella |
| author_sort | Chang Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundExisting research has demonstrated that intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is associated with problematic smartphone use (PSU). However, little is known about how different IU components such as uncertainty-related beliefs, emotions, and behaviors may impact on different PSU symptoms.MethodsExtending previous research, the current study examined the specific associations between IU components and PSU symptoms via a symptom-level network approach. A regularized partial correlation network consisting of different IU components and PSU symptoms was estimated among 1,849 Chinese university students. We examined pathways and influential nodes (i.e. central components/symptoms and bridge components/symptoms) within the IU-PSU network.ResultsThe strongest pathway linking IU and PSU was between emotional reactions to uncertainty and coping-motivated smartphone use. Importantly, emotional reactions toward not having enough information (a reflection of emotional reactions to uncertainty) may act as both a central and a bridge component in maintaining the whole IU-PSU network.ConclusionsThe results are in line with the I-PACE model and highlight that PSU may be a coping response for negative emotions derived from uncertainty. Finally, the current findings highlight the potential of interventions targeting intolerance of uncertainty for reducing PSU. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T16:54:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-be11547eac624a82bc64f666717a9d2a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T16:54:40Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-be11547eac624a82bc64f666717a9d2a2022-12-22T01:40:47ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402022-07-011310.3389/fpsyt.2022.917833917833Understanding the Association Between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Problematic Smartphone Use: A Network AnalysisChang Liu0Lei Ren1Kuiliang Li2Wei Yang3Ye Li4Kristian Rotaru5Kristian Rotaru6Xinyi Wei7Murat Yücel8Lucy Albertella9BrainPark, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, AustraliaMilitary Medical Psychology School, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, ChinaSchool of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaPsychological Counseling Center, Xijing University, Xi'an, ChinaPsychological Counseling Center, Xijing University, Xi'an, ChinaBrainPark, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, AustraliaDepartment of Accounting, Monash Business School, Monash University, Caulfield, VIC, AustraliaDepartment of Psychology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, ChinaBrainPark, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, AustraliaBrainPark, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, AustraliaBackgroundExisting research has demonstrated that intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is associated with problematic smartphone use (PSU). However, little is known about how different IU components such as uncertainty-related beliefs, emotions, and behaviors may impact on different PSU symptoms.MethodsExtending previous research, the current study examined the specific associations between IU components and PSU symptoms via a symptom-level network approach. A regularized partial correlation network consisting of different IU components and PSU symptoms was estimated among 1,849 Chinese university students. We examined pathways and influential nodes (i.e. central components/symptoms and bridge components/symptoms) within the IU-PSU network.ResultsThe strongest pathway linking IU and PSU was between emotional reactions to uncertainty and coping-motivated smartphone use. Importantly, emotional reactions toward not having enough information (a reflection of emotional reactions to uncertainty) may act as both a central and a bridge component in maintaining the whole IU-PSU network.ConclusionsThe results are in line with the I-PACE model and highlight that PSU may be a coping response for negative emotions derived from uncertainty. Finally, the current findings highlight the potential of interventions targeting intolerance of uncertainty for reducing PSU.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.917833/fullintolerance of uncertaintyproblematic smartphone usenetwork analysiscentral symptomsbridge symptoms |
| spellingShingle | Chang Liu Lei Ren Kuiliang Li Wei Yang Ye Li Kristian Rotaru Kristian Rotaru Xinyi Wei Murat Yücel Lucy Albertella Understanding the Association Between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Problematic Smartphone Use: A Network Analysis Frontiers in Psychiatry intolerance of uncertainty problematic smartphone use network analysis central symptoms bridge symptoms |
| title | Understanding the Association Between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Problematic Smartphone Use: A Network Analysis |
| title_full | Understanding the Association Between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Problematic Smartphone Use: A Network Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Understanding the Association Between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Problematic Smartphone Use: A Network Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding the Association Between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Problematic Smartphone Use: A Network Analysis |
| title_short | Understanding the Association Between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Problematic Smartphone Use: A Network Analysis |
| title_sort | understanding the association between intolerance of uncertainty and problematic smartphone use a network analysis |
| topic | intolerance of uncertainty problematic smartphone use network analysis central symptoms bridge symptoms |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.917833/full |
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