Parallel mediation of psychological flexibility and vulnerability between multiple-screen addiction and mental health outcomes in adolescents.

Students with multiple-screen addiction and high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress had low levels of psychological flexibility and high levels of psychological vulnerability.

• Data were collected from 309 high school students (M age = 16.13, SD = 1.40; 57% girls, 43% boys).
• Multiple-screen addiction was measured using the Multi-Screen Addiction Scale (MSA).
• Depression, anxiety, and stress were measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21).
• Psychological flexibility was measured using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II).
• Psychological vulnerability was measured using the Psychological Vulnerability Scale.

Psychological flexibility and psychological vulnerability were found to play a fully mediating role in the relationship between multiple-screen addiction and mental health outcomes.

• Analyses were conducted using SPSS 25 and Hayes Model 4 parallel mediation framework.
• Both psychological flexibility and psychological vulnerability served as parallel mediators.
• The mediation was described as 'full,' suggesting the direct path from multiple-screen addiction to depression, anxiety, and stress was not significant after accounting for mediators.
• The mediation model was tested across three outcomes: depression, anxiety, and stress.

Strengthening psychological flexibility and reducing psychological vulnerability were identified as having a significant effect in reducing adverse mental health effects caused by multiple-screen addiction.

• The findings suggest psychological flexibility and vulnerability are intervention targets for adolescent mental health in the context of screen addiction.
• The authors concluded these findings 'can provide necessary guidance in developing intervention programs and school policies.'
• Sample consisted of high school students, limiting generalizability to other age groups.
• The study design was cross-sectional, precluding causal inference.