HIGHER LEVELS OF INTOLERANCE OF UNCERTAINTY PREDICT GREATER LEVELS OF SMARTPHONE ADDICTION AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS: THE SERIAL MEDIATING ROLES OF DEATH ANXIETY AND CYBERCHONDRIA

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between the intolerance of uncertainty and smartphone addiction and investigates the serial mediating roles of death anxiety and cyberchondria in this relationship. 885 college students completed self-report questionnaires to assess their levels of intolerance of uncertainty, smartphone addiction, death anxiety, and cyberchondria. The results suggest that the intolerance of uncertainty has a direct positive effect on smartphone addiction, and this relationship is serially mediated by death anxiety and cyberchondria. These findings provide insight into the underlying mechanisms linking intolerance of uncertainty and smartphone addiction and emphasize the importance of addressing death anxiety and cyberchondria in interventions targeting smartphone addiction.