The relationship between self-esteem and problematic smartphone use: the mediating role of aggressiveness

Abstract Background: Problematic smartphone use can negatively affect people on a cognitive and behavioral level. Some studies found a negative association between self-esteem and problematic smartphone use but there are different results. This may be due to a lack of differentiation between explicit and implicit self-esteem. Previous studies have also examined the relationship between self-esteem, aggressiveness, and problematic smartphone use, but it is unclear if aggressiveness plays a mediating role in self-esteem and problematic smartphone use. To address these gaps in knowledge, we conducted a study where we separately analyzed the relationships between explicit and implicit self-esteem and problematic smartphone use, and investigated whether aggressiveness acts as a mediator between them. Method:A cross-sectional study with167 College students was carried out. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was used to measure the participants' explicit self-esteem. The Implicit Association Test was used to measure implicit self-esteem. The Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version was used to measure the participants' problematic smartphone use. The Chinese College Students' Version of the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire was used to measure aggressiveness. Results: The findings show a negative correlation between problematic smartphone use and explicit self-esteem, but not implicit self-esteem. The connection between explicit self-esteem and problematic smartphone use is totally mediated by aggressiveness. Conclusion: This study emphasize the important role of aggressiveness in problematic smartphone use behaviors of people with low explicit self-esteem. Aggressiveness plays a completely mediating role between explicit self-esteem and problematic smartphone use. Our study provides a basis for future interventions for problematic smartphone use.