The Effect of Stress on Smartphone Addiction in Nursing Students: The Mediating Effect of Interpersonal Relationship

Abstract

Exploration of the variables that mediate or moderate the force of stress on smartphone addiction is required. The present contrivance aimed to determine the mediating effect of interpersonal relationship in relation to stress and smartphone addiction among nursing students.Subjects consisted of 261 nursing students. A survey was conducted with organized questionnaires. Stress was measured with the Stress Response Inventory (SRI). Smartphone addiction was evaluated with the S-scale (Smartphone addiction proneness scale) for adults. The ability for interpersonal relationship was measured using the Relationship Change Scale (RCS). Data were analyzed using Baron and Kennys mediating analysis, and Sobel test which was used to testify the signification of mediating effect. The degree of smartphone addiction in nursing students according to individual characteristics was significantly different according to gender. Stress was positively correlated with smartphone addiction and negatively correlated with interpersonal relationship, while smartphone addiction was negatively correlated with interpersonal relationship. These findings also showed a partial mediating effect of interpersonal relationship on the force of stress on smartphone addiction. This result indicates that interpersonal relationship can act as a protective factor which contributes to reducing smartphone addiction. Programs or activities to facilitate interpersonal relationship are recommended to reduce smartphone addiction in nursing students. In addition, factors influencing smartphone addiction should be further explored in future studies.