Effects of physical activity on smart phone addiction in college students-chain mediation of self-control and stress perception

Purpose With the development of science and technology and the popularization of smart phones, the phenomenon of smart phone addiction has become more and more serious, especially among college students. This is not only a habit problem, but also an important topic involving physical, psychological and social health. Staring at the smart phone screen for a long time and over-immersing in various applications lead to not only physical problems such as vision loss and hearing weakening, but also deeper social and psychological problems such as increased psychological pressure and decreased social skills.Dual-process theory provides us with a unique perspective to deeply analyze the complex mechanisms behind smart phone addiction. Physical activity, as a healthy lifestyle, can help individuals to better resist the temptation of smart phones by increasing the level of physical activity and enhancing their self-control. Methods A total of 600 college students from two universities, Wuhan University of Science and Technology and Central China Normal University, were surveyed using the Physical Activity Scale, Stress Perception Scale, self-control Scale, and smart phone Addiction Burnout Scale. The questionnaire was statistically analyzed using SPSS 27.0 statistical analysis software. Correlation analysis, regression analysis, and mediation model were used to evaluate the relationships among physical activity, self-control, stress perception, and smart phone addiction among college students. Results Physical activity among college students was directly associated with smart phone addiction (β=-0.038), significantly mediated by self-control (β=-0.014), indirectly mediated by exercise adherence (β=-0.003), and indirectly mediated by self-control and stress perception (β=-0.004). Physical activity was a significant negative predictor of smart phone addiction among college students (β=-0.038, P < 0.001), and with the addition of the intermediate variables (self-control and stress perception), physical activity remained a significant negative predictor of smart phone addiction among college students (β=-0.017,P < 0.01). Conclusion Physical activity and self-control negatively predicted smart phone addiction, and stress perception was a negative predictor of smart phone addiction;self-control mediates in physical activity and smart phone addiction;stress perception mediates physical activity and smart phone addiction;self-control and stress perception play a chain mediating role in physical activity and smart phone addiction.