The relationships between cognitive emotion regulation strategies and problematic smartphone use: A longitudinal network analysis in Chinese university students

Problematic smartphone use (PSU) has become a prominent public health concern, especially among university students experiencing academic and psychological transitions. Cognitive emotion regulation strategies (CERS), which determine how individuals cope with emotional distress, are hypothesized to impact the development of PSU. However, longitudinal research examining this relationship—especially among students in western China—remains limited. This research explores the longitudinal associations of CERS with PSU symptoms among university students from two universities in the Xizang Autonomous Region of China. Participants comprised 1583 students from two universities within the Xizang Autonomous Region. Data were collected using the Chinese version of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ-C) and the Chinese Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV). A cross-lagged panel network (CLPN) analysis was applied to examine the association linking PSU and CERS. Manifestations of PSU, including overuse and withdrawal, were prospectively linked to greater engagement in maladaptive CERS, such as catastrophizing and self-blame. In contrast, positive reappraisal appeared to function as a potential protective factor linking PSU and emotion regulation. The CLPN analysis showed that PSU symptoms were a stronger predictor of subsequent changes in CERS during the six-month interval than vice versa. These results suggest that PSU may gradually weaken emotion regulation abilities. Targeted interventions focusing on key PSU symptoms and enhancing adaptive strategies like positive reappraisal could help reduce risk among university students. • This study presents the first longitudinal network analysis of smartphone use and emotion regulation among Tibetan students. • Overuse and positive reappraisal identified as key bridge symptom. • Withdrawal symptoms reinforce maladaptive cognitive strategies, perpetuating addictive cycles. • Symptom-level insights support tailored interventions for digital addiction.