The Protective Role of Social Inclusion: Loneliness as a Mediator Between Excessive Internet Use and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents.

Abstract

Background: Excessive Internet Use (EIU) represents a significant concern among adolescents, with growing evidence linking it to adverse mental health outcomes, particularly depressive symptoms.

Purpose: This study aims to examine the relationship between EIU and depressive symptoms among adolescents, focusing on the mediating role of loneliness and the moderating effect of social inclusion.

Methods: Drawing on data from the Finnish School Health Promotion Study (N = 131,528), we employed validated measures to assess EIU, loneliness, depressive symptoms, and social inclusion. A moderated mediation model was conducted using PROCESS macro for SPSS to examine the direct and indirect associations between EIU and depressive symptoms. Social inclusion, defined as adolescent perceived sense of belonging, acceptance, and participation within their social environment, was tested as a buffering factor in both the direct and indirect pathways.

Results: EIU was significantly associated with increased depressive symptoms, and loneliness emerged as a significant mediator, accounting for 39.5% of the total effect. Social inclusion demonstrated a significant moderating effect, weakening both the direct path from EIU to depressive symptoms and the indirect path through loneliness. The buffering effect of social inclusion was particularly pronounced in reducing the impact of loneliness on depression, with stronger protective effects observed among adolescents reporting higher levels of social inclusion compared to those with lower levels.

Conclusion: These findings advance our theoretical understanding of how digital behavior impacts adolescent mental health and provide evidence-based insights for developing comprehensive interventions. Effective strategies to address EIU-related depressive symptoms should incorporate both loneliness reduction and social inclusion enhancement to promote adolescent well-being in the digital age.