Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

6-2026

Abstract

Amidst the widespread increase in global smartphone screen time and the phenomenon of ‘The Great Exhaustion’, where multiple surveys indicate pervasive tiredness and feelings of being drained, there is growing concern about the link between problematic smartphone use and the capacity for self-control. While numerous studies have investigated the relationship between problematic smartphone use and self-control capacity, they are mostly cross-sectional. Thus, it is unclear whether the lack of capacity for self-control is an antecedent or consequence of problematic smartphone use. Addressing the research gap, we conducted a 7-day diary study to investigate the bidirectional relationship between problematic smartphone use and self-control capacity. Through a random-intercept cross-lagged panel model, we found a significant cross-lagged effect from daily problematic smartphone use to daily self-control capacity, but not vice versa. The findings suggest that problematic smartphone use may accelerate the depletion of cognitive resources required for self-control.

Keywords

Problematic smartphone use, Self-control, Random-intercept cross-lagged panel, Fatigue, Daily diary

Discipline

Applied Behavior Analysis | Social Psychology

Research Areas

Psychology

Areas of Excellence

Digital transformation

Publication

Behaviour & Information Technology

First Page

1

Last Page

10

ISSN

0144-929X

Identifier

10.1080/0144929X.2026.2675621

Publisher

Taylor and Francis Group

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2026.2675621

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