The longitudinal association between family functioning and problematic social media use among Chinese university students: Mediation via loneliness and a subgroup analysis by sex

IF 3.7 2区医学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Addictive behaviors Pub Date : 2025-03-20 DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108337

Hui Lu , Ziwei Ren , Peng Zhen , Zixin Su , Yun Wu

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Globally, problematic social media use (PSMU) is becoming increasingly common among university students. There is, however, a dearth of longitudinal studies investigating family functioning, loneliness, and PSMU. Based on the model of compensatory internet use, this study investigated the hypothesis that loneliness would mediate the longitudinal association between family functioning and PSMU among Chinese university students. It also explored whether there were sex differences in the associations between family functioning, loneliness, and PSMU. A total of 928 university students (45.7% male and 54.3% female; Mage = 20.71 years, SD = 1.21) completed the two-wave surveys. The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, the Chinese 6-item short version of the UCLA Loneliness Scale, and the Family APGAR Index were employed to evaluate PSMU, loneliness, and family functioning, respectively. Cross-lagged panel model analysis and multi-group analysis by sex were conducted. The study found that family functioning at T1 negatively predicted loneliness at T2 (β = -0.10, p = 0.001) and PSMU at T2 (β = -0.12, p < 0.001). Loneliness at T1 positively predicted PSMU at T2 (β = 0.13, p < 0.001). Loneliness significantly mediated the longitudinal association between family functioning and PSMU. Significant sex differences were found in the paths from loneliness at T1 to PSMU at T2 and from family functioning at T1 to PSMU at T2, with these associations being stronger in males than in females. The findings suggest that interventions aimed at enhancing family communication and emotional cohesion could be effective in reducing both loneliness and PSMU among university students.

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来源期刊

Addictive behaviors 医学-药物滥用

CiteScore

8.40

自引率

4.50%

发文量

283

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Addictive Behaviors is an international peer-reviewed journal publishing high quality human research on addictive behaviors and disorders since 1975. The journal accepts submissions of full-length papers and short communications on substance-related addictions such as the abuse of alcohol, drugs and nicotine, and behavioral addictions involving gambling and technology. We primarily publish behavioral and psychosocial research but our articles span the fields of psychology, sociology, psychiatry, epidemiology, social policy, medicine, pharmacology and neuroscience. While theoretical orientations are diverse, the emphasis of the journal is primarily empirical. That is, sound experimental design combined with valid, reliable assessment and evaluation procedures are a requisite for acceptance. However, innovative and empirically oriented case studies that might encourage new lines of inquiry are accepted as well. Studies that clearly contribute to current knowledge of etiology, prevention, social policy or treatment are given priority. Scholarly commentaries on topical issues, systematic reviews, and mini reviews are encouraged. We especially welcome multimedia papers that incorporate video or audio components to better display methodology or findings. Studies can also be submitted to Addictive Behaviors? companion title, the open access journal Addictive Behaviors Reports, which has a particular interest in ''non-traditional'', innovative and empirically-oriented research such as negative/null data papers, replication studies, case reports on novel treatments, and cross-cultural research.