Personality and Problematic Internet Use Among Chinese College Students: The Mediating Role of Maladaptive Cognitions Over Internet Use

Associations between personality and problematic internet use among Chinese adolescents and young adults: A network analysis

BACKGROUND

With the number of internet users booming, problematic internet use (PIU) has become a public health threat. This study aims to figure out the inter-relationships between PIU symptoms and personality traits with network-based analysis among young people and to discuss the gender difference in the above networks.

METHODS

Based on a national cross-sectional study in 2022, 4655 Chinese adolescents and young adults aged 14 to 25 were included. We adopted the 6-item Short-Form Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire (PIUQ-SF-6) and the 10-item version of the Big Five Inventory (BFI-10) to measure PIU and personality traits, respectively. Network analysis was used to identify influential nodes and edges and compare the network models between male and female participants.

RESULTS

The mean age of 4655 participants was 19.84, and 52.1 % (2424) of them were females. There are differences in age and gender between participants with and without PIU (P < 0.05). The network of personality and PIU showed that 22 out of the 28 edges were estimated to be nonzero, and "obsession-neuroticism" was the strongest positive edge between the two communities. Central symptoms (i.e., "obsession" and "control disorder") and bridge symptoms (i.e., "obsession" and "neuroticism") have been identified. Gender differences existed in network global strength: female = 3.71, male = 3.18 (p < 0.001).

LIMITATIONS

The cross-sectional study needs more evidence to build causal inference.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of PIU-personality networks may contribute to the personalized prevention and treatment of PIU. The gender difference in PIU-personality networks also requires more attention and discussion.

Exploring Gender Differences in Internet Addiction and Psychological Factors: A Study in a Spanish Sample

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Internet addiction (IA) and related behaviors, such as Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and social media addiction (SMA), have gained increasing research attention. Studies show gender differences, with males more likely to develop gaming-related addictions and females more prone to social media and phubbing behaviors. This study aimed to explore gender differences in Internet addiction and related behaviors in a Spanish sample, with the goal of identifying predictors and gender-specific patterns of IA.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study with 585 participants (265 male, 320 female) aged 18 to 35 years (M = 22.11, SD = 3.08). Data were collected using standardized questionnaires to assess IA, IGD, SMA, phubbing, Fear of Missing Out (FoMO), emotional dysregulation, personality traits, and prosociality. Correlation and regression analyses were used to identify gender-specific predictors of IA.

RESULTS

Males exhibited significantly higher scores for IA and IGD, while females showed higher scores for SMA and the "phone obsession" dimension of phubbing. No significant gender differences were found in the "communication disturbance" dimension of phubbing or in FoMO. Correlation analyses revealed significant associations between IA and psychological as well as technological variables. Gender-specific predictors of IA included social media engagement and emotional regulation for females, while gaming behaviors and communication patterns were more relevant for males.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight gender differences in IA, suggesting that tailored interventions should address unique online behaviors and emotional regulation challenges in males and females. Future research should refine gender-specific patterns to develop more effective, targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

A Mixture Modeling of the Predictors of Internet Addiction: Cognition and Dissociation

This study aimed to explore the heterogeneity in the symptoms of pathological Internet use. The predictive role of online cognitions and online dissociative experiences on pathological Internet use were investigated. Three hundred and ninety Turkish undergraduate students (261 females) participated in the study. Latent class analysis (LCA) was performed. Items responses on the 26-item Chen Internet Addiction Scale were subjected to LCA. The LCA identified three latent classes: (1) Normal Internet Users (n = 141, 36.15%), (2) Problematic Internet Users (n = 148, 37.95%), and (3) Pathological Internet Users (n = 101, 25.90%). The multinomial regression analysis showed that online cognitions, anxious arousal, and online dissociation were significantly associated with pathological Internet use. Our findings showed that the online dissociation as measured by the Van Online Dissociative Experiences Schedule and mental dissociation as indexed by the Dissociative Experiences Scale are qualitatively different constructs in relation to addictive behaviors on the net. Online dissociation and online cognitions seem to be crucial vulnerability factors for pathological Internet use.

Zhongyong thinking (doctrine of the mean) and internet addiction: The mediation of maladaptive cognition and the moderation of subject

Based on the cognitive-behavioral model of pathological internet use, this study explored the relationship between zhongyong thinking (doctrine of the mean) and internet addiction, and examined the mediation of maladaptive cognition and the moderation of subject. Convenience sampling was used to select 1,518 college students for the questionnaire. The participants were 15-26 years old (M = 19.77; SD = 1.45), including 776 male and 742 female students. The results showed that zhongyong thinking was significantly negatively correlated with maladaptive cognition (r = -0.19, p < 0.001) and internet addiction (r = -0.14, p < 0.001). Maladaptive cognition was significantly positively correlated with internet addiction (r = 0.46, p < 0.001). After controlling for age, gender, zhongyong thinking negatively predicted internet addiction (B = -0.06, p < 0.05), maladaptive cognition positively predicted Internet addiction (B = 0.45, p < 0.001). Zhongyong thinking negatively predicted maladaptive cognition (B = -0.19, p < 0.001). Moreover, the bias-corrected bootstrapping mediation test indicated that the process by which zhongyong thinking predicted Internet addiction through maladaptive cognition was significant, indirect effect = -0.08, SE = 0.01, 95% CI = [-0.11, -0.06]. Subject has no moderating effect on the relationship between zhongyong thinking and maladaptive cognition. The interaction between zhongyong thinking and subject was not a significant predictor of maladaptive cognition (B = 0.05, p > 0. 05). The present results suggest that zhongyong thinking as a traditional Chinese wisdom can still play an important role in regulating young people's behavior in the digital age.

Need for Distinctiveness Leads to Pathological Internet Use? The Perspective of Cognitive Behavioral Model

Based on the cognitive behavioral model of pathological Internet use and the gender role theory, this present study investigated the association between the need for distinctiveness and pathological Internet use. Additionally, we explored a mediating role of maladaptive cognition in the association between the need for distinctiveness and pathological Internet use and tested whether the mediation model was moderated by gender. A sample of 745 Chinese university students (Mage = 19.92, SDage = 1.42) was studied and participants completed anonymous questionnaires regarding the need for distinctiveness, maladaptive cognition, and pathological Internet use. Results revealed that the need for distinctiveness was positively associated with pathological Internet use, and the association between the need for distinctiveness and pathological Internet use was mediated by maladaptive cognition. In addition, gender moderated the association between maladaptive cognition and pathological Internet use; the effect was stronger for female participants than male participants. The findings expanded our understanding of the dark side of seeking distinctiveness. Practically, the results suggest that policymakers and psychological practitioners consider gender in preventing and intervening in pathological Internet use.

Problematic utilization of online social networking site in Chinese college students: prediction of personality and dynamic mediators

Utilization of online social networking sites (SNSs) is often problematic in young people. However, studies seldom seek to understand personal differences and deep-seated reasons in its problematic utilization. This study aims to explore the longstanding and recent psychosocial predictors of problematic utilization of WeChat friend center (PUWF) longitudinally. A total of 433 college students (17-25 years old, male/female ratio: 389/44) were investigated over 2 successive years (T1: first year; T2: second year) using the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire, Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist, Social Support Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the problematic utilization scale of the WeChat friend center which was developed in this study. Correlation, regression, and structural equation analyses were conducted. A problematic utilization scale of the WeChat friend center was developed with Cronbach's alpha of .836. 21.02% of students reported WeChat PUWF. Males utilized the WeChat friend center less than females, and females were at higher risk of PUWF, which was correlated with worse mental health. In the longitudinal prediction, regression and modeling analyses showed that apprehension of personality predicted PUWF consistently and directly, and this was partially mediated by T1 depression and T2 negative life events. Resultys suggest that females are at higher risk for PUWF. Apprehension personality has a direct and indirect effect on PUWF through recent depression and life events. The findings help to recognize individuals at risk for PUWF as well as to better prevent it, and provide suggestions as to the functional design of SNSs according to different need of users. Core tips: Utilization of SNSs is often problematic in young people. However, personal differences and deep-seated reasons in its problematic utilization has been poorly revealed. Through a longitudinal investigation, this study confirms that females are at higher risk for PUWF. Apprehension personality has a direct and indirect effect on PUWF through recent depression and life events. The findings help to recognize individuals at risk for PUWF and give theoretical evidence to the functional design of SNSs for diferent users.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-022-03150-7.

The role of school connectedness and maladaptive cognitions in the association between stress and Internet addiction: A serial mediation model

PURPOSE

To explore the mediating effect of school interest and maladaptive cognitions in the relationship between stress and Internet addiction.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 2271 high school students were recruited from a Chinese high school. Serial mediation model was used.

RESULTS

School interest and maladaptive cognitions had 0.03 and 0.13 indirect effects in the association between stress and Internet addiction, and accounting for 7.9% and 34.2% of the total effect, respectively. The serial indirect effect of school interest and maladaptive cognition was 0.05, accounting for 13.2% of the total effect.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The present study highlights the need of reducing stress and increasing school interest among high school students to prevent and intervene the occurrence of Internet addiction.