Causal Modeling of Cell Phone Addiction in Students Based on Alexithymia and Communication Problems: The Mediating Role of Brain-Behavioral Systems

The purpose of this study was to investigate the causal modeling of cell phone addiction based on alexithymia and communication problems with the mediating role of brain-behavioral systems in students. The statistical population of this study consisted of 280 high school male students in Khalkhal city. They were selected by multistage cluster sampling method and were answered Toronto alexithymia questionnaire, Carver-White Brain-Behavioral Systems Questionnaire, Behkham et al. Behavioral Problem Questionnaire, and Cell Phone Addiction Questionnaire. were answered. The collected data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) by SPSS software and Lisrel 8.8 software. The results showed that alexithymia and communication problems had a positive and significant effect on cell phone addiction (P<0/01). In addition, alexithymia and communication problems also had a direct effect on brain-behavioral systems mediated indirectly on cell phone addiction. These findings indicate the need for serious attention by planners and authorities to the increasing prevalence of cell phone use, its harmful use, and especially its negative consequences for students.