Understanding how physical exercise and self-control shape the link between social anxiety and problematic mobile phone use among Chinese college students: insights from latent profile and network analyses

Amidst the pervasive integration of digital technologies into daily life, the association between social anxiety and problematic mobile phone use has drawn increasing concern among Chinese college students. This study integrated variable- and person-centered approaches to examine the mediating role of physical exercise and the moderating influence of self-control on the association between social anxiety and problematic mobile phone use, while concurrently identifying high-risk subgroups. A total of 1,688 undergraduate students participated in an online survey from March to June 2024, completing validated measures of social anxiety, physical exercise, self-control, and mobile phone use. Mediation, moderation, latent profile, and network analyses were conducted. Results indicated that social anxiety was positively related to problematic mobile phone use (r = .466, p < .001), with physical exercise partially mediating this relationship (indirect effect = .044, 95% CI [.029, .060]). The buffering effect of physical exercise was stronger among individuals with higher self-control (β = −.070, p < .001). Latent profile analysis revealed a dominant subgroup (72.3%) characterised by elevated social anxiety and problematic mobile phone use. Subsequent network analysis of this high-risk subgroup identified core symptoms – social discomfort and loss of behavioural control – thereby delineating the specific symptomatic connections that the broader pathways involving physical exercise and self-control may ultimately influence. These findings highlight the interrelated roles of physical exercise and self-control in mitigating maladaptive technology use and emphasise the need for interventions that promote active lifestyles and emotional regulation among college students.