Open Access

ARTICLE

The Relationship between Big Five Personality Traits and Smartphone Addiction among University Students: Mindfulness as a Self-Regulatory Mediating Mechanism

Yao-Chung Cheng^1,2, Der-Fa Chen^3,*, Kai-Jie Chen⁴, Kun-Yi Chen⁵, Wen-Ling Ke⁶, Xie-Chuan Qiu⁶, Min-Han Chung⁶

1 Center for Teacher Education, National Changhua University of Education, No.1, Jin-De Road, Changhua City, Taiwan
2 Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, National Changhua University of Education, No.2, Shi-Da Road, Changhua City, Taiwan
3 Graduate Institute of Technological and Vocational Education, National Changhua University of Education, No.2, Shi-Da Road, Changhua City, Taiwan
4 Graduate Institute of Technology Management, National Chung Hsing University, No.145, Xingda Rd., South Dist., Taichung City, Taiwan
5 Center for Teacher Education, National Taiwan Sport University, No.250, Wenhua 1st Road, Guishan Dist., Taoyuan City, Taiwan
6 Department of Electrical and Mechanical Technology, National Changhua University of Education, No.2, Shi-Da Road, Changhua City, Taiwan

* Corresponding Author: Der-Fa Chen. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Self-Concept in the Digital Era: Exploring Its Interplay with Internet Use Patterns, Mental Health, and Physical Well-Being)

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2026, 28(4), 11 https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2026.077564

Received 11 December 2025; Accepted 11 March 2026; Issue published 28 April 2026

Abstract

Objectives: Smartphone addiction has become a salient mental health concern among university students. Although the Big Five personality traits are associated with problematic smartphone use, less is known about the psychological mechanisms linking personality to addictive smartphone behavior. This study examined whether mindfulness functions as a self-regulatory mechanism linking personality traits to smartphone addiction. Method: A cross-sectional survey was administered to Taiwanese university students (N = 665). Partial least squares structural equation modeling with bootstrapping was used to test direct and indirect associations among the Big Five traits, mindfulness, and smartphone addiction. Results: Mindfulness was negatively associated with smartphone addiction (β = −0.305, p < 0.001). Neuroticism showed a positive direct association with smartphone addiction (β = 0.278, p < 0.001) and a negative association with mindfulness (β = −0.372, p < 0.001), yielding a significant indirect effect via mindfulness (β = 0.113, p < 0.001). Openness also showed a positive direct association with smartphone addiction (β = 0.163, p = 0.003). Conscientiousness was positively associated with mindfulness (β = 0.224, p < 0.001). It exerted a significant indirect effect on smartphone addiction through mindfulness (β = −0.068, p < 0.001), while its direct path to smartphone addiction was not supported. Conclusions: Mindfulness appears to be a key self-regulatory mechanism linking personality traits to smartphone addiction. These findings support the practical value of mindfulness-based approaches for promoting healthier digital habits and improving student digital well-being.

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Keywords

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