Predicting Effects of ADHD Symptoms and Mindfulness on Smartphone Overuse in Athletes: A Basic Psychological Needs Perspective

Abstract

Informed by basic psychological need theory, this study was undertaken to examine the relationship between self-reported symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mindfulness, basic psychological need satisfaction/frustration, and smartphone overuse among athletes. Athletes (n = 360, M age = 20.27, male = 72.5%) completed a survey that measured the outcomes of interest. Path analysis indicated that greater ADHD symptoms were both directly related to higher smartphone overuse scores and indirectly related to greater smartphone overuse scores via need frustration. Higher mindfulness scores were associated with lower levels of need frustration and greater levels of need satisfaction. Mindfulness moderated the positive association between ADHD symptoms and need frustration. Specifically, the positive association between ADHD symptoms and need frustration was attenuated in the presence of higher levels of mindfulness among participants with a lower risk of ADHD. Surprisingly, the same association was heightened among participants with a higher risk of ADHD. These findings highlight the significant role of need frustration in explaining the underlying process from ADHD symptoms to smartphone overuse.