Heterogeneity in Mobile Phone Addiction Among University Freshmen and its Relationship with Psychological Resilience: a Person-centered Approach

In this study, a person-centered approach was utilized to explore the heterogeneity of mobile phone addiction and its association with psychological resilience among 1272 Chinese university freshmen (Mage = 18.39, SD = 0.76; 61.40% female) with the Mobile Phone Addiction Index Scale (MPAI) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). The key findings are as follows: Firstly, three distinct profiles of mobile phone addiction, namely, low-risk, at-risk, and high-risk, were identified among university freshmen, with significant disparities in addiction levels across these profiles. Secondly, freshmen classified within the low-risk profile exhibited elevated levels of psychological resilience, suggesting its potential protective function against mobile phone addiction. Furthermore, the research indicated that female students, those with left-behind experiences, and students from families with a negative family atmosphere were more susceptible to mobile phone addiction. These insights not only augment our comprehension of the mobile phone addiction traits among university students but also serve as a scientific foundation for mental health education and intervention programs targeted at university students.