Which need satisfaction better explains the relation between parental psychological control and adolescent behavior problems: A parallel multi-mediator model based on general strain theory

This study examined how parental psychological control influences online deviant behavior and explored the mediating roles of Internet addiction, anxiety, and depression. A total of 876 adults (mean age = 23.04 ± 8.49 years; 616 women) participated in the study. Latent profile analysis identified subgroups of individuals based on perceptions of parental psychological control, Internet addiction, and emotional distress. Three distinct profiles emerged: a low negative-factor subgroup (31.8%), a medium subgroup (44.8%), and a high subgroup (23.5%). The three profiles differed significantly in levels of online deviant behavior, with higher negative factors associated with more deviant behavior. Males and only-child participants were more likely to belong to the high negative-factor subgroup compared with females and non–only-child participants. Internet addiction, anxiety, and depression jointly mediated the association between parental psychological control and online deviant behavior. In the low negative-factor subgroup, both direct and indirect effects were significant. In contrast, direct effects were non-significant in the medium and high subgroups, although indirect effects via Internet addiction and emotional distress remained significant. Conclusion Parental psychological control presents in three distinct forms, each showing different patterns of association with online deviant behavior. Internet addiction and emotional distress were differentially related to these profiles and to online deviant behavior, suggesting that they may represent important correlates linking psychologically controlling parenting to maladaptive online behaviors. These findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of heterogeneity in parental psychological control and its potential associations with adolescents’ online maladjustment.

This study examined the role of social anxiety in the association between maladaptive cognition and problematic internet use among Nigerian adolescent students. Participants were 509 adolescents from schools in South-East Nigeria (n = 509; male = 46.56%, female = 53.44%; mean age = 15.86 years; SD = 2.57 years). The participants completed measures of social anxiety (Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents), problematic internet use (Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire), and maladaptive cognition (Maladaptive Interpersonal Belief Scale). Regression analyses showed a positive association between students’ maladaptive cognition and problematic internet use, as well as between social anxiety and problematic internet use. Additionally, social anxiety mediated the relationship between maladaptive cognition and problematic internet use, increasing the risk of problematic internet use. These findings indicate a need for interventions to reduce the risk of problematic internet use through counselling students for healthy cognition and normative social anxiety.

Background/aimIt is known that various temperament and character dimensions, and parenting styles could be associated with problematic internet and smartphone use. This study aimed to examine the association between temperament, character, and parenting styles and problematic smartphone and internet use in nonclinical female teenagers.Materials and methods244 nonclinical female adolescent were included the study. Young’s Internet Addiction Test Short Form, Smartphone Addiction Scale, Junior Temperament and Character Inventory and Parenting Style Scale were used for collecting data.ResultsProblematic smartphone use was significantly negatively correlated with cooperativeness character type, strictness/supervision, and acceptance/involvement subscales of the parenting style scale. A significant correlation was found between problematic internet use and acceptance/involvement, strictness/supervision subscales of Parenting Style Scale. In ANOVA analysis, it was found that the authoritative parenting style was associated with less problematic use, and the neglectful, authoritarian, and indulgent parenting styles were associated with increased problematic use. A negative correlation was found between the cooperativeness character style and problematic smartphone use.ConclusionAccording to our results, parenting style is more important for problematic internet and smartphone use among female adolescents than temperament and character.

Problematic Internet use is recognized as a significant public health concern among adolescents. Previous research has shown that adolescents with problematic Internet use tend to experience higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to non-problematic Internet users. Nevertheless, when it comes to differences in specific symptoms, the evidence is less clear-cut. This study conducted Gaussian graphical model and Bayesian network analysis to compare the network structures of anxiety symptoms and depression symptoms among adolescents with problematic and non-problematic Internet use. A total of 1,139 Chinese adolescents (540 problematic Internet users, M age = 15.96; 599 non-problematic Internet users, M age = 16.03) were included in the study. The results showed that compared to adolescents with non-problematic Internet use, most anxiety symptoms (e.g., inability to stop or control worries) emerged as upstream nodes with significant downstream effects on a series of emotional symptoms of anxiety and depression among adolescents with problematic Internet use. “Fear of something terrible happening,” “irritability,” “feeling fearful” and “feeling effortful” were symptomatic targets for intervening problematic Internet use and improving mental health. These findings offer novel data-driven insights on the core symptoms and directional relationships of anxiety-depression comorbidity network among Chinese adolescents with different Internet use states.

Although parental psychological control has been well-documented as a significant predictor of social anxiety among adolescents, few studies examine how changes in parental psychological control and adolescent social anxiety are reciprocally related at the within-person level, especially in Chinese culture. This longitudinal study examined reciprocal relations between parental psychological control and social anxiety, and the potential mediating role of self-concept clarity, by disentangling between- and within-person effects. A total of 4731 students (44.9% girls; Mage = 10.91 years, SD = 0.72) participated in a four-wave longitudinal study with 6-month intervals. Results from random intercept cross-lagged panel modeling indicated that parental psychological control directly predicted social anxiety, and vice versa. Parental psychological control indirectly predicted social anxiety via self-concept clarity, and social anxiety also indirectly predicted parental psychological control via self-concept clarity. These findings reveal a vicious cycle of mutual influence between parental psychological control and adolescent social anxiety in Chinese youth, and highlight the crucial role of self-concept clarity in the interplay between parenting and adolescent social functioning.

BackgroundIn recent years, the relationship between childhood trauma and problematic Internet use has been widely studied by scholars, but the research conclusions on the relationship between them are not consistent. Some studies report that childhood trauma and problematic Internet use are significantly correlated. However, others believe that there is a weak correlation between them. So the relationship between them needs to be studied further. The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between childhood trauma and problematic Internet use, and the effects of some moderating variables on both for students in Mainland China.MethodsThis study followed the requirements of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement for literature screening. We searched the related studies on childhood trauma and problematic Internet use in Mainland China from January 2009 to November 2022 from CNKI, Wanfang Data, Chongqing VIP Information Co., Ltd. (VIP), Baidu scholar, ProQuest dissertations, SAGE Online Journals, Elsevier SDOL, Taylor & Francis, Springer, Web of Science, Google Scholar, EBSCO, Medline, Scopus Database, PubMed Central, Embase, The Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, CMA 3.0 was used to analyse the overall effect and test the moderating effect.ResultsAmong the papers included in the meta-analysis in this study, 31 papers reflected the relationship between childhood trauma and problematic Internet use, involving 52,503 subjects, and the sample size ranged from 388 to 16,130. This relationship between childhood trauma and problematic Internet use can be considered as a moderate correlation (r = 0.281, 95%CI[0.221, 0.338], p < 0.001). The results showed that the relationship between childhood trauma and problematic Internet use was affected by different problematic Internet use measures. Meanwhile, meta-regression demonstrated that the relationship between childhood trauma and problematic Internet use was moderated by survey’s year. Specifically, the correlation coefficient between childhood trauma and problematic Internet use also increases with increasing year. However, the relationship between childhood trauma and problematic Internet use was not affected by the region, grade, childhood trauma measures, publication source.ConclusionChildhood trauma is closely related to problematic Internet use. In order to reduce problematic Internet use, corresponding prevention and intervention measures should be taken.

This study used a sample of Korean adolescents to evaluate: (a) associations between problematic internet use and depression, bipolar disorder symptoms and suicidal ideation; and (b) whether mood disorders mediate the relationship between problematic internet use and suicidal ideation. A total of 795 middle and high school students were recruited (538 girls; mean age, 13.87 ± 1.51 years). The Internet Addiction Proneness Scale for Youth-Short Form (KS-scale) was used to evaluate the presence and severity of problematic internet use. The frequencies of depression, suicidal ideation and probable bipolar disorder were compared between adolescents with and without internet addiction. The associations between the severity of problematic internet use and the severity of depressive symptoms, bipolar symptoms and suicidal ideation were also analyzed. Seventy-five adolescents (9.4%) met the criteria for problematic internet use. The presence of problematic internet use was significantly associated with suicidal ideation (OR = 5.82, 95% CI = 3.30-10.26, p < 0.001) as well as depression (OR = 5.00, 95% CI = 2.88-8.66, p < 0.001). There was a marginally significant association between problematic internet use and probable bipolar disorder (OR = 3.05, 95% CI = 0.96-9.69, p = 0.059). In the path model, problematic internet use significantly predicted depressive symptoms (β = 0.296, 95% CI = 0.214-0.367, p = 0.005), which predicted suicidal ideation (β = 0.699, 95% CI = 0.631-0.751, p = 0.009). Problematic internet use also predicted suicidal ideation directly (β = 0.115, 95% CI = 0.052-0.193, p = 0.006). Conversely, depressive symptoms (β = 0.119, 95% CI = -0.005-0.219, p = 0.040) and suicidal ideation (β = 0.215, 95% CI = 0.089-0.346, p = 0.005) predicted problematic internet use. There is a complex transactional relationship between problematic internet use, depressive symptoms, bipolar symptoms and suicidal ideation, so these conditions must be assessed together during the evaluation of adolescents. Prospective studies are warranted to elucidate the causal relationships between problematic internet use, mood symptoms and suicidal ideation.

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. 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 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). 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.

INTERNET ADDICTION OR PSYCHOPATHOLOGY IN DISGUISE? RESULTS FROM A SURVEY OF COLLEGE-AGED INTERNET USERS

The phenomenon of problematic internet use is one of the phenomena that is rife in late adolescents. This is an important concern for many researchers, especially regarding excessive internet use, especially in accessing social media. This study aims to determine whether there is a relationship between problematic internet use and social anxiety in late adolescents who use social media in Bekasi City. This study involved 111 late adolescents in the city of Bekasi who actively used social media for 5 hours or more/day. This research is a quantitative research with a correlational type. The sampling technique uses a purposive sampling technique. Data analysis was performed with the correlation technique of Pearson Product Moment using the program SPSS versi 25 for windows. Based on the result of research data analysis the value of corellation coefficient between those two variables is 0,661** with significant degree amount is 0,000, This suggest that there is a a positive relationship between problematic internet use and social anxiety among adolescents. So it can be concluded that the higher the problematic internet use in adolescents, the higher the level of adolescent anxiety.

The present mixed-methods study examined the effectiveness of a school-based mindfulness based intervention (MBI) on internet and smartphone use in adolescents. Using follow-up focus group interviews, the study explored the underlying mechanisms of how students perceived MBI influenced their usage. The study also tested on an integrative framework for mindfulness-based mechanisms to reduce problematic smartphone and internet use. Sixty two participants were 10th grade students in Türkiye. Outcomes were collected using psychometric scales, pre-post, from participants in an eight-session MBI ( n = 31) and compared to controls ( n = 31). Qualitative data were also collected from participants in the MBI group. The quantitative findings revealed that there was a reduction in internet addiction, problematic internet use, and smartphone addiction reported from participants pre-post in the MBI group, relative to controls. The qualitative findings revealed four primary themes: awareness, self-control, emotion regulation, and nomophobia. Overall, the results demonstrated that MBI was associated with reduction in smartphone and internet use. A revised theoretical framework to explain how MBIs lessen problematic internet and smartphone use was proposed.

This study aims to examine the paths between excessive Internet use, school burnout and parental monitoring and their predictor effects in peer bullying and victimization among Turkish adolescents. The relational survey design was employed in the study. The study group consisted of 362 students (108 females, 254 males, aged 15–18 years) from three different vocational high schools including each grade level. “Internet Addiction Scale”, “School Burnout Scale”, “Parental Monitoring Scale”, and “Peer Bullying / Victimization Scale” were used as data collection instruments. Structural Equation Modeling was employed in order to test the hypotheses argued in the study. Findings indicate that the tendency of becoming a victim among vocational high school students is higher than becoming a bully. Furthermore, according to model analysis findings, it was established that bullying and victimization was predicted by factors of problematic Internet use, school burnout, and parental monitoring. Furthermore, a positive relationship was found between problematic Internet use and school burnout as well as parental monitoring and school burnout in line with the hypotheses. As a result, it was recommended that reducing the problematic Internet use through psycho-educational programs as well as increasing school engagement and family functioning with both indoor and outdoor social and cultural activities may prevent the emergence of bullying and victimization.

The issue of mental health among college students is of increasing concern during the COVID-19 outbreak. Since course characteristics of engineering college students determine the particularities of their mental health, the specific objectives of this study were: (1) to analyze the relationship between physical activity, parental psychological control, basic psychological needs, anxiety, and mental health in Chinese engineering college students during COVID-19 pandemic; and (2) to examine the mediation effect of anxiety between the relationship of basic psychological needs and mental health. A cross-sectional study was conducted among several universities in Shandong Province, China. We randomly selected 254 Chinese engineering college students from these colleges. Participants who were given questionnaires completed the Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3), Basic Needs Satisfaction in General Scale (BNSG-S), Parental psychological control Questionnaire, the Beck anxiety inventory (BAI), and the Kessler 10 (K10) scale. The mediation model was conducted to assess the mediation effect of anxiety between the relationship of basic psychological needs and mental health. Among 254 Chinese college students majoring in engineering, the results showed that their mental health was in the mid-level range. Besides, physical activity and basic psychological needs is positively correlated with mental health, respectively, while parental psychological control is not correlated with mental health. Anxiety is negatively associated with mental health. Mediation analysis revealed that anxiety played a mediation role in the relationship between basic psychological needs and mental health. In conclusion, mental health of Chinese engineering college students deserves extensive attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Proper intervention on physical activity, basic psychological needs, and anxiety may be beneficial to improve their mental health. In addition, meeting basic psychological needs is beneficial to reduce anxiety and improve mental health further.

Few innovations in history have left such an indelible mark on people’s daily lives as the Internet has, representing a boundless and endlessly exciting frontier of human ingenuity and connectivity. However, its ever-increasing importance and variety of activities has led to its uncontrolled use, known as problematic Internet use. The relationship between problematic Internet use and psychosocial well-being, including loneliness and life satisfaction, has greatly attracted much research interest over the years, with consistently mixed findings. Therefore, the current study examined the effect of loneliness and life satisfaction on problematic Internet use. A factorial (2x2) independent measures ANOVA was used with a total of 200 participants, of which 125 were females and 75 were males aged 18 to 49 years (M=25.7; SD=7.27). The UCLA Loneliness Scale, Satisfaction With Life Scale and Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire were administered. The results revealed that there was a significant main effect of loneliness on problematic Internet use (F(1,196)=18.05, p&lt;0.001). Similarly, life satisfaction significantly affected problematic Internet use (F(1,196)=13.1, p&lt;0.001). However, the interaction effect of loneliness and life satisfaction on problematic Internet use, produced non-significant results (F(1,96)=3.46, p=0.064). The limitations of the study were also discussed. Further research is needed to explore the longitudinal patterns of problematic Internet use, including additional influencing factors, in order to facilitate targeted interventions and prevention strategies. Keywords: Problematic Internet use (PIU), Loneliness, Life Satisfaction, Online Communication, Social Isolation

Abundant evidence has demonstrated an association between parental psychological control and adolescent aggressive behavior. However, the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this relation are still under-investigated. Grounded in the social development model and stress-buffering model, this study investigated whether deviant peer affiliation mediates the relation between parental psychological control and adolescent aggressive behavior, and whether this indirect link is moderated by school connectedness. A total of 4265 adolescents (Meanage = 13.66 years, SD = 2.74, 48.63% male) from southern China completed questionnaires regarding parental psychological control, deviant peer affiliation, school connectedness, and aggressive behavior. Structural equation models revealed that the relation between parental psychological control and aggressive behavior is partially mediated by deviant peer affiliation. Moreover, this indirect link was stronger for adolescents with low levels of school connectedness than for those with high levels of school connectedness. This study thus identifies the potential underlying mechanism by which parental psychological control is associated with adolescent aggressive behaviors, which has important implications for theory and prevention.