Daily problematic smartphone use predicts decreases in self-control capacity: evidence from random-intercept cross-lagged panel model

Amidst the widespread increase in global smartphone screen time and the phenomenon of ‘The Great Exhaustion’, where multiple surveys indicate pervasive tiredness and feelings of being drained, there is growing concern about the link between problematic smartphone use and the capacity for self-control. While numerous studies have investigated the relationship between problematic smartphone use and self-control capacity, they are mostly cross-sectional. Thus, it is unclear whether the lack of capacity for self-control is an antecedent or consequence of problematic smartphone use. Addressing the research gap, we conducted a 7-day diary study to investigate the bidirectional relationship between problematic smartphone use and self-control capacity. Through a random-intercept cross-lagged panel model, we found a significant cross-lagged effect from daily problematic smartphone use to daily self-control capacity, but not vice versa. The findings suggest that problematic smartphone use may accelerate the depletion of cognitive resources required for self-control.