Flow mediates the relationship between problematic smartphone use and satisfaction with life among college students

Abstract

Smartphones, while useful, can also function as a source of distraction from daily life and may reduce life satisfaction by inhibiting concentration and interrupting attention to ongoing tasks, thoughts, and social interactions. Objectives: The current study tested whether interruptions in flow mediate associations between problematic smartphone use (PSU) and life satisfaction among college students. Participants: Two hundred and nine college student smartphone users screened in to the study. Methods: 188 individuals (90%) completed baseline and 158 individuals (76%) completed one week of Ecological Momentary Assessment surveys and a one-week follow-up survey. Results: Flow mediates the relationship between PSU and satisfaction with life such that PSU was negatively associated with flow, flow was positively associated with satisfaction with life, and the indirect effect of PSU on satisfaction with life through flow was significant and negative. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the lack of flow college students experience due to PSU contributes to lower life satisfaction.

Keywords:

• Ecological momentary assessment
• flow theory
• smartphone use

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of the University of Houston.

Additional information

Funding

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.