How mobile phone addiction is associated with suicidal ideation? The mediation role of depression and moderation role of online social support (Preprint)

UNSTRUCTURED Recent studies have highlighted mobile phone addiction (MPA) as a potential risk of suicidal ideation. However, the mechanisms underlying that association require attention. This investigation examines whether the relationship between MPA and suicidal ideation would be mediated by depression, and buffered by online social support (OSS) in university students. A total of 1,042 Chinese university students completed the questionnaire including the measures of mobile phone addiction, depression, suicidal ideation, OSS in classroom settings. Results revealed that (a) MPA was positively associated with suicidal ideation through depression; (b) OSS moderated the association between depression and suicidal ideation. Specifically, the effect of depression on suicidal ideation was weaker in individuals with high (versus low) OSS. The influence of MPA on suicidal ideation was non-significant among individuals with high OSS but negatively significant among students with low OSS. The results enrich the understanding of how MPA may increase suicidal ideation, and highlight the potential importance of reducing depression and enhancing OSS to prevent suicidal ideation in university students.