title: Self-control and problematic mobile phone use in Chinese college students: the mediating role of mobile phone use patterns.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With the popularity of mobile phones, problematic mobile phone use is getting increasing attention in recent years. Although self-control was found to be a critical predictor of problematic mobile phone use, no study has ever explored the association between self-control and mobile phone use patterns as well as the possible pathway how self-control affects problematic mobile phone use.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four hundred sixty-eight college students were randomly selected in this study. Data were collected using the Problematic Mobile Phone Use Scale, the Self-Control Scale, and the Mobile Phone Use Pattern Questionnaire. Statistical tests were conducted to identify the potential role of mobile phone use patterns in the association between self-control and problematic mobile phone use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this sample, female students displayed significant higher mobile phone dependence than males. Self-control was negatively correlated with interpersonal, transaction and entertainment mobile phone use patterns, but positively correlated with information seeking use pattern. Self-control could predict problematic mobile phone use directly and indirectly via interpersonal and transaction patterns.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our research provided additional evidence for the negative association between self-control and problematic mobile phone use. Moreover, interpersonal and transaction use patterns played a mediating role in this link.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, School of Educational Science, Ludong University, Hongqi Middle Road 186, Zhifu District, Yantai, 264025, China. jiangzhaocai456@163.com.
authors.forename: Zhaocai
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3062-0844
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, School of Educational Science, Ludong University, Hongqi Middle Road 186, Zhifu District, Yantai, 264025, China.
authors.forename: Xiuxin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology*; D040421:Cell Phone; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000066553:Problem Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000068356:Self-Control / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: College students; Problematic mobile phone use; Self-control; Use patterns