EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MOBILE PHONE ADDICTION AND LEARNING ENGAGEMENT AMONG GUANGXI COLLEGE STUDENTS

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: 1) to study the level of mobile phone addiction, self-control, and learning engagement among college students in Guangxi Province, China; 2) to explore differences in mobile phone addiction, self-control, and learning engagement across demographic variables (gender and year level); 3) to examine the relationships among mobile phone addiction, self-control, and learning engagement; and 4) to investigate the mediating role of self-control in the relationship between mobile phone addiction and learning engagement. This study employed a quantitative research methodology using a questionnaire survey. The research framework was developed based on relevant theories including the Cognitive-Behavioral Model and Self-Determination Theory. The population consisted of undergraduate students from three comprehensive universities located in Baise, Nanning, and Hezhou, Guangxi, China. A total of 600 questionnaires were distributed online, and 564 valid responses were collected using convenience sampling. The instruments included: 1) the Mobile Phone Addiction Index (MPAI), 2) the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-Student (UWES-S), and 3) the Self-Control Scale (SCS). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and mediation testing. The research results revealed that: 1) levels of mobile phone addiction among Guangxi college students were moderate, while self-control and learning engagement levels were relatively high; 2) significant differences were found in self-control and learning engagement across gender and year level, but not in mobile phone addiction; 3) mobile phone addiction negatively influenced self-control and learning engagement, while self-control positively influenced learning engagement; and 4) self-control had a mediating effect on the relationship between mobile phone addiction and learning engagement.