Associations between future time perspective and bedtime procrastination via rumination and problematic mobile phone use among Chinese undergraduates in a cross-sectional serial mediation study

Background Bedtime procrastination is common among university students and is associated with poorer mental and physical health. From a self-regulation perspective, future time perspective has been proposed as a potential protective factor. Yet the underlying mechanisms linking future time perspective and bedtime procrastination remain poorly understood. This study examined the relationship between future time perspective and bedtime procrastination among Chinese undergraduates, with particular attention to the potential mediating roles of rumination and problematic mobile phone use. Method A cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling was conducted among 1,368 undergraduate students (mean age = 19.58 years) at a medical university in Guizhou Province, China. Participants completed validated self-report questionnaires, including the General Future Time Perspective Questionnaire, the Ruminative Responses Scale, the Short Version of the Smartphone Addiction Scale, and the Bedtime Procrastination Scale. Results Future time perspective was negatively associated with bedtime procrastination (β = −0.16, p < 0.001). Bootstrapped mediation analysis indicated a significant total indirect effect of future time perspective on bedtime procrastination (β = −0.17, 95% CI [− 0.20, − 0.14]). The indirect effect via rumination was significant (β = −0.04, 95% CI [− 0.06, − 0.02]), as was the indirect effect via problematic mobile phone use (β = −0.09, 95% CI [− 0.12, − 0.07]). The sequential indirect pathway through rumination and problematic mobile phone use was also significant (β = −0.04, 95% CI [− 0.05, − 0.03]). Conclusion Among Chinese undergraduates, a stronger future time perspective was associated with less bedtime procrastination, and lower levels of rumination and problematic mobile phone use partly accounted for this association. These findings suggest that future time perspective, rumination, and problematic mobile phone use may be relevant correlates of bedtime procrastination and warrant consideration in future prevention or intervention research.