Attachment Avoidance Mediates the Relationship Between Relatedness Frustration and Social Networking Sites Addiction: Conscientiousness and Neuroticism as Moderators

Social Networking Sites Addiction (SNSA) has become increasingly prevalent among university students, posing significant challenges to their mental health and academic performance. The psychological mechanisms and personality traits contributing to this addiction are not yet fully understood. This s...

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Main Authors: Shu Zhong, Ri Hai, Nigela Ahemaitijiang, Xinyue Wang, Yunxiang Chen, Xiangping Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Behavioral Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/11/1068
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author Shu Zhong
Ri Hai
Nigela Ahemaitijiang
Xinyue Wang
Yunxiang Chen
Xiangping Liu
author_facet Shu Zhong
Ri Hai
Nigela Ahemaitijiang
Xinyue Wang
Yunxiang Chen
Xiangping Liu
author_sort Shu Zhong
collection DOAJ
description Social Networking Sites Addiction (SNSA) has become increasingly prevalent among university students, posing significant challenges to their mental health and academic performance. The psychological mechanisms and personality traits contributing to this addiction are not yet fully understood. This study explored the mediating effect of attachment avoidance (AA) between relatedness frustration (RF) and SNSA, as well as the moderating roles of Conscientiousness and Neuroticism from the Big Five personality traits. Data were collected from 489 university students (M = 18.81, SD = 0.92) using the Relatedness Frustration Scale, Ten-Item Personality Inventory in Chinese, Experiences in Close Relationships Scale (ECR) Short Form, and Social Networking Sites Addiction Scale. The findings were as follows: (1) RF significantly predicted SNSA; (2) RF significantly predicted AA, which in turn significantly predicted SNSA, indicating a partial mediation; and (3) Conscientiousness and Neuroticism moderated the effect of RF on SNSA, with higher levels of these traits amplifying the positive effect of RF on SNSA. The study concluded that individuals facing RF may avoid real-life attachments and seek connections online, increasing the risk of SNSA, especially for those with high levels of Conscientiousness and Neuroticism.
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spelling doaj-art-42796306cefc49599cde75166cb95c292025-08-20T02:28:07ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2024-11-011411106810.3390/bs14111068Attachment Avoidance Mediates the Relationship Between Relatedness Frustration and Social Networking Sites Addiction: Conscientiousness and Neuroticism as ModeratorsShu Zhong0Ri Hai1Nigela Ahemaitijiang2Xinyue Wang3Yunxiang Chen4Xiangping Liu5Center for Counseling and Psychological Development, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100089, ChinaDepartment of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, ChinaCenter for Counseling and Psychological Development, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100089, ChinaDepartment of Psychological and Cognitive Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100086, ChinaSchool of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, ChinaSchool of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, ChinaSocial Networking Sites Addiction (SNSA) has become increasingly prevalent among university students, posing significant challenges to their mental health and academic performance. The psychological mechanisms and personality traits contributing to this addiction are not yet fully understood. This study explored the mediating effect of attachment avoidance (AA) between relatedness frustration (RF) and SNSA, as well as the moderating roles of Conscientiousness and Neuroticism from the Big Five personality traits. Data were collected from 489 university students (M = 18.81, SD = 0.92) using the Relatedness Frustration Scale, Ten-Item Personality Inventory in Chinese, Experiences in Close Relationships Scale (ECR) Short Form, and Social Networking Sites Addiction Scale. The findings were as follows: (1) RF significantly predicted SNSA; (2) RF significantly predicted AA, which in turn significantly predicted SNSA, indicating a partial mediation; and (3) Conscientiousness and Neuroticism moderated the effect of RF on SNSA, with higher levels of these traits amplifying the positive effect of RF on SNSA. The study concluded that individuals facing RF may avoid real-life attachments and seek connections online, increasing the risk of SNSA, especially for those with high levels of Conscientiousness and Neuroticism.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/11/1068social networking sites addictionrelatedness frustrationattachment avoidancebig five personality
spellingShingle Shu Zhong
Ri Hai
Nigela Ahemaitijiang
Xinyue Wang
Yunxiang Chen
Xiangping Liu
Attachment Avoidance Mediates the Relationship Between Relatedness Frustration and Social Networking Sites Addiction: Conscientiousness and Neuroticism as Moderators
Behavioral Sciences
social networking sites addiction
relatedness frustration
attachment avoidance
big five personality
title Attachment Avoidance Mediates the Relationship Between Relatedness Frustration and Social Networking Sites Addiction: Conscientiousness and Neuroticism as Moderators
title_full Attachment Avoidance Mediates the Relationship Between Relatedness Frustration and Social Networking Sites Addiction: Conscientiousness and Neuroticism as Moderators
title_fullStr Attachment Avoidance Mediates the Relationship Between Relatedness Frustration and Social Networking Sites Addiction: Conscientiousness and Neuroticism as Moderators
title_full_unstemmed Attachment Avoidance Mediates the Relationship Between Relatedness Frustration and Social Networking Sites Addiction: Conscientiousness and Neuroticism as Moderators
title_short Attachment Avoidance Mediates the Relationship Between Relatedness Frustration and Social Networking Sites Addiction: Conscientiousness and Neuroticism as Moderators
title_sort attachment avoidance mediates the relationship between relatedness frustration and social networking sites addiction conscientiousness and neuroticism as moderators
topic social networking sites addiction
relatedness frustration
attachment avoidance
big five personality
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/11/1068
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