Exploring the relationships between electronic blackmail awareness, smartphone addiction, and escapism among nursing students: a structural equation modeling approach

Abstract Background Digital threats including smartphone addiction, escapist tendencies, and electronic blackmail are becoming increasingly prevalent among nursing students. While electronic blackmail awareness is crucial, it is yet unknown how it affects behavioral results. This study looked at how nursing students’ knowledge of electronic blackmail and their desire for escape are mediated by smartphone addiction. Methods A quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational design using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was conducted in accordance with STROBE guidelines. A sample of 440 undergraduate nursing students from the Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt, was recruited using a stratified systematic sampling approach. Data was collected using three distinct instruments which assess electronic blackmail awareness through a knowledge-based assessment, smartphone addiction, and escapism. Results The mean age of the participants was 20.57 years (SD = 1.30). Most participants were female (69.8%) and from rural areas (60.9%). Approximately half reported insufficient family income (51.6%). Structural path analysis showed that electronic blackmail awareness did not significantly predict smartphone addiction (B = 0.035, β = 0.034, p  = 0.469) or escapism (B = 0.001, β = 0.001, p  = 0.996). In contrast, smartphone addiction demonstrated a strong and statistically significant positive association with escapism (B = 0.645, β = 0.664, p  < 0.001). Model fit indices indicated acceptable model fit (χ²/df = 3.112, NFI = 0.918, RFI = 0.901, IFI = 0.943, CFI = 0.942, RMSEA = 0.061). Conclusions Although awareness of electronic blackmail was not significantly associated with escapism among nursing students, smartphone addiction emerged as a strong and significant predictor of escapist behavior. These findings suggest smartphone addiction was significantly associated with escapism and may represent an important behavioral factor related to maladaptive coping patterns among nursing students. Addressing smartphone addiction through targeted interventions, such as promoting responsible smartphone use, strengthening psychosocial support, and enhancing digital resilience, may help reduce escapist behaviors and support students’ academic and psychological well-being. In addition, integrating awareness programs related to cyber risks, including electronic blackmail, may further contribute to improving students’ digital safety and coping strategies. Clinical trial number Not applicable.