Unmet psychological needs underlying mobile phone dependence among medical undergraduates: a qualitative study based on the basic psychological needs theory

Our study uniquely found that mobile phones serve as tools for medical students to compensate for unmet basic psychological needs, manifested as pressure evasion, achievement-seeking, and professional identity construction, while also revealing meaning in life that extends beyond the BPNT frameworks. Our study recommends that medical schools provide autonomy-supportive environments, create opportunities for skill verification through EPA-based assessments and simulations, and establish mentoring systems with digital platforms for professional development. School psychologists and counselors should implement evidence-based interventions like mindfulness training and group self-regulation programs to foster healthy mobile phone usage.