THE ROLE OF LONELINESS AND SELF-CONTROL TO THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN NOMOPHOBIA AND DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS AMONG VIETNAMESE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Numerous studies have also revealed that students with a high level of nomophobia have an increased risk of depression. However, few researchers are interested in examining how the association between nomophobia and depressive symptoms mediates loneliness and self-control. This study aimed to investigate, among Vietnamese high school students, the association between nomophobia and depressive symptoms, specifically focusing on the role that loneliness and self-control play as potential mediators of that relationship. The Nomophobia Scale (NMP-Q), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21), The UCLA loneliness scale version 3 (UCLA III), and The Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) were completed by 556 Vietnamese high school students. Using the PROCESS macro, mediation analyses were conducted to investigate the relationship between variables. According to our findings, nomophobia was positively associated with symptoms of depression, and loneliness and self-control partially mediated this relationship. It is suggested that methods for preventing claustrophobia and depressive symptoms be taken seriously in order to increase self-control and decrease loneliness.