PURPOSE: Presenting a chain mediation model to investigate whether mobile phone dependence results in a reduction in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Chinese college students, through the mediating effect of chronotype and sleep quality.
DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on students from a Chinese university using a validated structured questionnaire.
SAMPLE: 2014 freshmen.
MEASURES: The study measured the students' level of mobile phone dependence using the Self-rating Questionnaire for Adolescent Problematic Mobile Phone Use. Chronotype and sleep quality were measured by the Chinese version of the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. HRQoL was evaluated using the five-level EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L), including a descriptive system and a visual analog scale (VAS).
ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistical analysis, correlation analysis, and mediation analysis.
RESULTS: Mobile phone dependence had a significant negative effect on HRQoL as indicated by both the EQ-5D-5L index score and EQ-VAS score (< .001 for both). Additionally, it was found to significantly predict chronotype (MEQ score) (= -.546,< .001) and sleep quality (PSQI score) (= .163,< .001). Chronotype negatively predict sleep quality (= -.058,< .001), and sleep quality was a significant negative predictor of HRQoL (EQ-5D-5L index score,= -.008,< .001; EQ-VAS score,= -1.576,< .001). P β P β P β P β P β P
CONCLUSION: Mobile phone dependence negatively impacts students' HRQoL through chronotype and sleep quality, and there is a chain mediating effect. Students should consider making lifestyle changes to improve their HRQoL and promote health.
