The role of affect balance and external boredom in the relationship between loneliness and problematic smartphone use

Mobile phones have become the most popular form of interpersonal communication. The aim of the study was to explore the mediating role of external boredom and affect balance between loneliness and problematic smartphone use (PSU). The sample consisted of N = 581 participants aged 18–28 years (M = 21.18, SD = 1.85) from Poland. A pen-and-paper procedure was used, with the following measures administered: the Problematic Mobile Phone Use Questionnaire, the Loneliness Scale, the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience, and the External Boredom Scale. In the study, the indirect effect of external boredom and affect balance on the relationship between loneliness dimensions and problematic smartphone use was analysed. The results indicate that boredom was a mediator (a meaningful but not strong) between loneliness dimensions and PSU. However, it was not shown that affect balance mediates the relationship between loneliness dimensions and PSU. The findings highlight the practical importance of addressing boredom-related mechanisms in prevention and intervention programs targeting problematic smartphone use. Supporting young adults in developing healthier strategies for managing boredom and strengthening offline social engagement may help reduce vulnerability to PSU.