Effect of Loneliness on Psychological Depression of Adolescent Smartphone Addicts: The Mediating Role of Interpersonal Trust

Abstract

Background: As an important psychological antecedent of smartphone addiction, loneliness may have a far-reaching effect on the mental health of teenagers, especially their psychological depression. Interpersonal trust, which is an important psychological trait of individuals in social interaction, may play multiple mediating roles between loneliness and psychological depression.

Methods: Overall, 691 adolescent smartphone addicts in Henan Province, China were surveyed by a group questionnaire. Relevant data were collected via loneliness scale, psychological depression scale, and interpersonal trust scale (including overall trust, emotional trust, and reliableness). The effect of loneliness on the psychological depression of adolescent smartphone addicts was discussed via statistical analysis, and the multiple mediating roles played by interpersonal trust in this relationship were tested.

Results: Loneliness has a significantly positive effect on the psychological depression of adolescent smartphone addicts (P<0.01). Overall trust and emotional trust play a partial mediating role in the influence of loneliness on psychological depression, whereas reliableness plays a masking role in this influence relationship. Significant differences are observed in the influence of two factors—the length of smartphone use and the age—on the psychological depression of adolescent smartphone addicts (P<0.01).

Conclusion: This study reveals the effect of loneliness on the psychological depression of adolescent smartphone addicts and the mediating role of interpersonal trust. To reduce the risk of adolescent psychological depression, psychological health intervention measures should attach importance to the enhancement of interpersonal trust, especially overall and emotional trust.