The correlation between phubbing and depression anxiety stress of first-year medical students: the mediating role of sedentary behavior - Report - MDSpire

The correlation between phubbing and depression anxiety stress of first-year medical students: the mediating role of sedentary behavior

  • By

  • Mengyun Peng

  • Yingpeng Jiang

  • Pusen Lu

  • Na Li

  • May 11, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: The Impact of Phubbing on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress

Overview

This study investigates the relationship between phubbing, sedentary behavior, and mental health among first-year medical students. Findings indicate that both phubbing and sedentary behavior significantly contribute to increased levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, with sedentary behavior acting as a mediator in this relationship.

Background

The transition to medical school poses unique challenges that can exacerbate mental health issues among students. High levels of depression, anxiety, and stress are prevalent in this population, necessitating effective strategies for support. Understanding the role of phubbing and sedentary behavior in this context is crucial for developing interventions to improve student well-being.

Data Highlights

VariableCorrelation (r)p-value
Phubbing and Depression/Anxiety/Stress0.120 ~ 0.815< 0.01
Phubbing and Sedentary Behavior0.128< 0.01
Indirect Effect of Sedentary Behavior1.9% ~ 2.5%N/A

Key Findings

  • Phubbing is positively correlated with increased levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among first-year medical students.
  • Sedentary behavior mediates the relationship between phubbing and mental health outcomes.
  • Phubbing significantly impacts the sedentary behavior of medical students.
  • Reducing sedentary behavior may help mitigate the adverse effects of phubbing on mental health.
  • The prevalence of depression and anxiety among medical students is notably higher than in non-medical students.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare professionals should be aware of the mental health challenges faced by first-year medical students, particularly the impact of phubbing and sedentary behavior. Interventions aimed at reducing phubbing and promoting physical activity may be beneficial in improving mental health outcomes in this population.

Conclusion

The study highlights the interconnectedness of phubbing, sedentary behavior, and mental health among medical students, suggesting that addressing these factors may enhance student well-being.

Related Resources & Content

  1. BMC Psychiatry (Springer), 2025 -- Network analysis of interrelationships among physical activity, sleep disturbances, depression, and anxiety in college students
  2. Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR), 2026 -- Prevalence of Social Media Addiction and Associations With Usage Patterns, Burnout, and Health Conditions Among Medical Trainees in China: Cross-Sectional Study
  3. BMC Psychiatry (Springer), 2025 -- The mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between big five personality traits and depression among Chinese preclinical medical students: a multicenter cross-sectional study
  4. Frontiers, 2025 -- Anxiety and depressive symptoms among medical students—A scoping review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
  5. WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour, NCBI Bookshelf
  6. BMC Psychiatry (Springer) — Network analysis of loneliness and mental health among Chinese first-year medical college students: the role of regulatory emotional self-efficacy
  7. Smartphone screen time reduction improves mental health: a randomized controlled trial
  8. Frontiers | Anxiety and depressive symptoms among medical students—A scoping review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
  9. RECOMMENDATIONS - WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour - NCBI Bookshelf

Original Source(s)

The correlation between phubbing and depression anxiety stress of first-year medical students: the mediating role of sedentary behavior

  • by Mengyun Peng, Yingpeng Jiang, Pusen Lu, Na Li

  • May 11, 2026

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