Wang, W., Ye, J., Zhu, Y. et al. (2 more authors) (2023) Longitudinal relationship between internet self-control and problematic internet use among Chinese adolescents: mediating role of meaning in life. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14. 1258673. ISSN 1664-0640
Abstract
Introduction:
While studies indicate that high self-control may serve as a safeguard against problematic internet use, there’s evidence suggesting that problematic internet use can, in turn, diminish self-control. This study aimed to elucidate the longitudinal interplay between internet self-control and problematic internet use in adolescents, employing cross-lagged panel modeling. Furthermore, drawing from a positive psychology perspective, we examined the potential role of ‘meaning in life’ as a protective mediator within this longitudinal relationship. We then constructed a mediation model to explore protective factors against problematic internet use.
Methods:
Through a questionnaire, we tracked 659 adolescents (331 males and 328 females; mean age=13.61) in a longitudinal design across two time points, spaced at five-month intervals, to assess their internet self-control, problematic internet use, and meaning in life.
Results:
Results of the cross-lagged panel models showed that: Internet self-control had a significant negative impact on problematic internet use after five months (β = −0.094, p < 0.01). Conversely, problematic internet use had a significant negative impact on internet self-control after five months (β = −0.099, p < 0.05). Results from the longitudinal mediation model showed that: Meaning in life mediated the effect of internet self-control on problematic internet use after five months (βinternet self-control(T1)-meaning in life(T2) = 0.142, p < 0.01; βmeaning in life(T1)-problematic internet use (T2) = −0.075, p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Our study uncovers a reciprocal predictive relationship between internet self-control and problematic internet use, while highlighting the mediating role of meaning in life within this relationship. These findings suggest that fostering internet self-control and cultivating a sense of meaning in life among adolescents can serve as effective prevention and intervention strategies for addressing the issue of problematic internet use.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2023 Wang, Ye, Zhu, Huang and Zhao. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. |
Keywords: | adolescents; cross-lagged panel model; internet self-control; longitudinal mediation model; meaning in life; problematic internet use |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Information School (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 05 Jan 2024 11:24 |
Last Modified: | 05 Jan 2024 11:24 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Frontiers Media SA |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1258673 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:207086 |