Problematic Internet Usage and Self-Esteem in Chinese Undergraduate Students: The Mediation Effects of Individual Affect and Relationship Satisfaction

Guang Zeng, Lijin Zhang, Sai-fu Fung, Jingwen Li, Yi-Man Liu, Zi-Ke Xiong, Zhi-Quan Jiang, Fang-Fang Zhu, Zhen-Ting Chen, Si-Ding Luo, Ping Yu and Qian Huang
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Guang Zeng: Department of Psychology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong 510275, China
Lijin Zhang: Department of Psychology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong 510275, China
Sai-fu Fung: Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Jingwen Li: Department of Psychology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Yi-Man Liu: School of Economics, Finance and Marketing, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Zi-Ke Xiong: Guangzhou Huashang College, University Administrative Office, Guangdong 511300, China
Zhi-Quan Jiang: Guangzhou Huashang College, University Administrative Office, Guangdong 511300, China
Fang-Fang Zhu: School of Economics and Trade, Guangzhou Huashang College, Guangdong 511300, China
Zhen-Ting Chen: School of Data Science, Guangzhou Huashang College, Guangdong 511300, China
Si-Ding Luo: Managing Director Office, Global Business College of Australia, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Ping Yu: Managing Director Office, Global Business College of Australia, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Qian Huang: Department of Sports Training, Xi’an Physical Education University, Xi’an 710068, China

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 13, 1-14

Abstract: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the mediating effects of individual affect and relationship satisfaction on the relationship between self-esteem and Problematic Internet Use (PIU). Affect was measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), relationship satisfaction was assessed using a positive and negative semantic dimension scale, self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and PIU was measured using the Problematic Internet Use scale with a sample of 507 Chinese university students (Mage = 20.41 years, SD = 2.49). The relationships between the variables were tested using structural equation modelling with a multiple mediation model. The results revealed that negative affect and the negative semantic dimensions of relationship satisfaction mediated the relationship between self-esteem and PIU. The implications of the results and the study’s theoretical contributions are discussed.

Keywords: cognitive–behavioural model; Internet addiction; self-esteem; multiple mediation model; positive and negative affect schedule (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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