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

Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2019 Oct;55(4):728-733. doi: 10.1111/ppc.12417. Epub 2019 Jul 15.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Internet addiction; maladaptive cognitions; school interest; stress.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
  • Behavior, Addictive / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internet*
  • Male
  • Schools
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology*
  • Students / psychology*