Distinct patterns of problematic smartphone use and related factors in Chinese college students

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to categorize different subgroups of problematic smartphone use in Chinese college students. Differences in gender and psychosocial characteristics of the categorized groups were also examined. METHODS: A total of 1123 participants completed the Mobile Phone Addiction Index Scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Perceived Stress Scale. Using latent profile analysis, we identified different subgroups of problematic smartphone use in college students. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was implemented to examine the relationship between latent classes and demographic and psychosocial covariates. RESULTS: The four following latent classes were identified: a low-risk group, a moderate-risk with no evasiveness group, a moderate-risk with evasiveness group, and high-risk group that accounted for 11%, 24.1%, 35.5%, and 29.4% of the total sample, respectively. Further analysis revealed that female participants were more likely to be in the moderate-risk with evasiveness and high-risk groups, and individuals with depressed mood were more likely to be in the moderate-risk and high-risk groups. CONCLUSIONS: Classifying college students according to the features of problematic smartphone use is potentially useful for understanding risk factors and developing targeted prevention and intervention programs. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12888-022-04395-z.