Online Real-Self Presentation and Depression among Chinese Teens: Mediating Role of Social Support and Moderating Role of Dispositional Optimism

Xiaochun Xie, Xingchao Wang, Fengqing Zhao, Li Lei (), Gengfeng Niu and Pengcheng Wang
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Xiaochun Xie: Northeast Normal University
Xingchao Wang: Renmin University of China
Fengqing Zhao: Renmin University of China
Li Lei: Renmin University of China
Gengfeng Niu: Xi’an Jiaotong University
Pengcheng Wang: Renmin University of China

Child Indicators Research, 2018, vol. 11, issue 5, No 7, 1544 pages

Abstract: Abstract The present study aimed to test the relation between adolescents’ online real-self presentation and depression, as well as the mediating role of social support and moderating role of dispositional optimism. A sample of 1742 Chinese adolescents (girl = 961, mean age = 14.35 ± 1.52 years) completed questionnaires of depression, online real-self presentation, social support, and dispositional optimism. Results of correlation and regression analyses showed that adolescents’ online real-self presentation could predict decreased depression via increasing social support. What’s more, the mediation effect was moderated by dispositional optimism, in which the mediation effect was stronger among adolescents with low dispositional optimism than those with high dispositional optimism. This study explained how and when online real-self presentation affected adolescents’ depressive symptoms, and provided a deeper understanding of the relation between online self-presentation and adolescents’ mental health. The implications and limitations were discussed.

Keywords: Depression; Online real-self presentation; Social support; Dispositional optimism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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DOI: 10.1007/s12187-017-9484-5

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