Digital Escape from Emotions: The Role of Experiential Avoidance in the Relationship between Alexithymia and Smartphone Addiction

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Alexithymia significantly predicts smartphone addiction in adults, with experiential avoidance mediating this relationship. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Heesu Choi; Hyejeen Lee

doi:10.32355/oughtopia.2026.02.40.3.105

February 28, 2026OUGHTOPIA

Digital Escape from Emotions: The Role of Experiential Avoidance in the Relationship between Alexithymia and Smartphone Addiction

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Key Points

This research aims to explore the impact of alexithymia on smartphone addiction and the mediating role of experiential avoidance.
Survey conducted on 343 adults using measures for alexithymia, smartphone addiction, and multidimensional experiential avoidance.
Controlled for variables like gender, age, and emotional symptoms (depression, anxiety, stress).
Analyses focused on the relationships between alexithymia, smartphone addiction, and experiential avoidance.
Alexithymia significantly predicts smartphone addiction even after controlling for emotional symptoms.
Sub-factors of experiential avoidance, particularly lack of distress tolerance and delay behavior, mediate this relationship.
Findings suggest individuals with alexithymia may excessively engage with smartphones to escape negative emotional states.

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Implication

Research shows alexithymia predicts smartphone addiction in adults, suggesting emotional expression issues impact technology use.

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Cite This Study

Choi et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69b3ab0002a1e69014ccba56 https://doi.org/10.32355/oughtopia.2026.02.40.3.105

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Digital Escape from Emotions: The Role of Experiential Avoidance in the Relationship between Alexithymia and Smartphone Addiction

Key Points

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Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Digital Escape from Emotions: The Role of Experiential Avoidance in the Relationship between Alexithymia and Smartphone Addiction

Key Points

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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