Gao T, et al. – Study authors carried out this investigation to examine the association between alexithymia and mobile phone addiction for college students. They suggested that alexithymia is an important correlate of mobile phone addiction, and depression, anxiety or stress is an important mediator in this relationship.

Methods

• An aggregate of one thousand, one hundred five college students were tested with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale and the Mobile Phone Addiction Index.

Results

• The results of this study showed that an individual's level of alexithymia was significantly associated with depression, anxiety, stress and mobile phone addiction.
• Findings revealed that alexithymia had a significantly positive prediction effect on mobile phone addiction, and depression, anxiety, and stress on mobile phone are positive predictors.
• It was noted that depression, anxiety or stress had partially mediating effects between alexithymia and mobile phone addiction.
• According to the findings obtained, alexithymia not only directly had a positively impact on mobile phone addiction, but both also had an indirect effect on mobile phone addiction through depression, anxiety or stress.