The Effect of Smartphone Addiction on Food Addiction among University Students: The Mediating Role of Shopping Addiction

This study investigated the impact of smartphone addiction on food addiction among university students, as well as the mediating role of shopping addiction in this relationship. A self-report survey was conducted with 114 undergraduate students at a university in Seoul. Smartphone addiction, shopping addiction, and food addiction were assessed using the SAPS, RCBS, and YFAS, respectively. The analysis showed that smartphone addiction significantly increased shopping addiction, which in turn was a strong predictor of food addiction. While the direct effect of smartphone addiction on food addiction was not significant, the findings indicated that smartphone addiction indirectly affected food addiction through shopping addiction, highlighting a notable mediating effect. These results suggest that smartphone addiction may enhance reward-seeking behaviors and diminish self-regulatory ability, leading to an increased likelihood of food addiction via shopping addiction. By clarifying the structural relationships among these behavioral addictions, this study provides valuable insights for the development of prevention and intervention strategies targeting emerging addictions in young adults.