Linking mindfulness to phubbing among college students: a longitudinal mediation analysis of attentional control and dual-system self-control

Objective Numerous cross-sectional studies have documented a robust association between mindfulness and phubbing; however, evidence regarding their longitudinal linkage and underlying mechanisms remains limited. To address this gap, we conducted a three-wave longitudinal study during the 2023 fall semester (September – November) and tested a multiple mediation model incorporating attentional control and the dual-system of self-control.Method A total of 536 college students (55.4% female; Mage = 19.04) completed the baseline survey, and 507 participants provided valid data at the final wave.Results The results indicated a significant negative association between mindfulness and subsequent phubbing. Attentional control and the impulsive system partially mediated this relationship, whereas the mediating effect of the control system was not significant.Conclusions These findings suggest that enhanced attentional regulation and top-down self-control may function as key protective mechanisms through which mindfulness reduces phubbing among young adults. Overall, the study advances understanding of the cognitive – regulatory pathways linking mindfulness to phubbing and underscores the potential value of mindfulness-based interventions in mitigating socially disruptive smartphone use.