Work

The association between physical activity and mobile phone dependence in college students: serial indirect associations through psychological capital and self-control

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background Mobile phone dependence is receiving increasing attention in university populations. Existing evidence suggests that physical activity is related to psychological wellbeing and self-regulatory processes; however, the pathways that may account for its association with mobile phone dependence remain unclear. The present study explored the relationship between physical activity and mobile phone dependence by examining psychological capital and self-control as sequential indirect factors in the proposed model. Methods Using a cross-sectional design, we surveyed a convenience sample of 567 students from four universities in China. Participants completed self-report measures of physical activity, psychological capital, self-control, and mobile phone dependence. We computed Pearson correlations and applied PROCESS model 6 with 5,000 bootstrap resamples, adjusting the model for gender, age, and grade. Results Physical activity showed an inverse correlation with mobile phone dependence ( r = −0.246, p < 0.001). A significant overall association was also observed between PA and MPD ( β = −0.255, p < 0.001). However, after psychological capital, self-control, and the covariates were included in the model, the remaining direct coefficient was no longer significant ( β = −0.043, p = 0.265). Bootstrap estimates supported three indirect pathways: via psychological capital (−0.069, 95% CI [−0.104, −0.035]), via self-control (−0.108, 95% CI [−0.157, −0.060]), and sequentially through psychological capital followed by self-control (−0.036, 95% CI [−0.060, −0.014]). Conclusion Overall, the results suggest that the PA–MPD relationship was primarily reflected in indirect associations involving psychological capital and self-control within the proposed cross-sectional model. The findings underscore the relevance of PsyCap and SC to the association between physical activity and mobile phone dependence among college students.

Source: Frontiers in Psychology

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1911519

Authors: Wenwen Pan, Yong Zhang, Tao Shan

Institution: Qiqihar University

Language: English

Topic: Impact of Technology on Adolescents

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801