Resilience and Smartphone Addiction in College Students: A Systematic Review

The pervasive use of smartphones among college students has given rise to growing concerns about smartphone addiction and its adverse effects on mental health, academic performance, and social relationships. This PRISMA-based systematic review critically examines the bidirectional relationship between resilience and smartphone addiction among college students, drawing from empirical studies published between 2020 and 2025 across disciplines such as psychology, behavioral science, and higher education. Findings indicate that resilience—defined as the capacity to adapt positively in the face of adversity—consistently acts as a protective buffer against compulsive and maladaptive smartphone use. Eight key thematic areas emerged from the review: emotional regulation, academic resilience, social connectedness, intervention outcomes, cultural influences, sleep disturbances, gender and age differences, and perceived stress. High resilience was associated with better emotional coping, academic focus, and social relationships, while low resilience predicted increased vulnerability to digital escapism and behavioral addiction. Evidence-based interventions, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction and cognitive-behavioral strategies, have proven effective in strengthening resilience and decreasing smartphone dependency. The review also highlights the significance of institutional support, cultural sensitivity, and policy reform in fostering resilience and promoting digital wellbeing. Despite methodological limitations such as cross-sectional designs and measurement inconsistencies, this review underscores the need for integrative, systemic approaches that embed resilience training within academic and wellness programs. As students navigate an increasingly digital academic landscape, resilience development emerges as a crucial strategy not only for mitigating smartphone addiction but also for cultivating holistic student success.