The reciprocity between psychological need frustration and adolescent problematic smartphone use

This study aimed to investigate the potential bidirectionality between frustration of three basic needs (i.e., autonomy, relatedness, and competence) and problematic smartphone use (PSU), which is highly prevalent in adolescents. We recruited 466 Chinese high school students (61.6% female) for the b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of applied developmental psychology Vol. 91; p. 101634
Main Authors Zhang, Meng Xuan, Kam, Chester Chun Seng, Wu, Anise M.S.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier Inc 01.03.2024
Subjects
Adolescents
Need frustration
Problematic smartphone use
Reciprocal relationship
Problematic smartphone use
Need frustration
Adolescents
Reciprocal relationship
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Summary:This study aimed to investigate the potential bidirectionality between frustration of three basic needs (i.e., autonomy, relatedness, and competence) and problematic smartphone use (PSU), which is highly prevalent in adolescents. We recruited 466 Chinese high school students (61.6% female) for the baseline survey (W1), and 318 participated in the follow-up survey (W2). They completed questionnaires at both waves. Correlation analyses showed all three types of need frustration had significant positive associations with PSU at both waves. The cross-lagged panel model results supported the reciprocal relationship between autonomy frustration and PSU. PSU at W1 also predicted competence frustration at W2, whereas higher relatedness frustration levels at W1 predicted higher levels of autonomy/competence frustration at W2. Preventive programs for PSU would benefit from self-determination theory-based interventions that support a sense of autonomy and relatedness.
ISSN:0193-3973
1873-7900
DOI:10.1016/j.appdev.2024.101634