Published online Dec 19, 2023. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v13.i12.1133
Peer-review started: August 23, 2023
First decision: October 10, 2023
Revised: October 18, 2023
Accepted: November 21, 2023
Article in press: November 21, 2023
Published online: December 19, 2023
Internet addiction (IA) refers to a compulsive or excessive use of the internet that interferes with daily life activities, relationships, and overall well-being. It is characterized by an individual’s inability to control or limit their online behavior, leading to negative consequences.
This study aimed to explore the effect of childhood trauma on adolescent IA and to consider the roles of loneliness and negative coping styles.
The study hypothesized that childhood trauma would be positively associated with adolescent IA, and this relationship would be partially mediated by loneliness and negative coping styles. Negative coping styles refer to maladaptive strategies used to deal with stress, such as avoidance, substance use, and self-blame.
This study constructed a chain mediation model from the perspective of adolescents to explore the process and mechanisms by which childhood trauma influences IA. Childhood trauma had a positive predictive effect on adolescent IA, and loneliness and negative coping styles had a chain mediating role in the influence of childhood on IA among adolescents.
The results showed that childhood trauma was positively associated with both loneliness and negative coping styles. Moreover, loneliness and negative coping styles were found to mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and adolescent IA. The findings suggest the importance of addressing childhood trauma and its subsequent impact on mental health and addictive behaviors.
This study provides empirical support and guidance for research and interventions for adolescent IA, and it also provides important insights into the mental health of middle school and the development of harmonious school life.
This study used self-report data, which may have some problems, such as recall bias. Although no common method bias was found in this study, more objective assessments should also be considered in subsequent studies.