Online Aggressive Behavior, Self-Harm Behavior, and Social Anxiety: The Mediating Effect of Social Network Sites Addictive Tendency and the Moderating Effect of Sex.
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective: Self-harm and online aggressive behavior, recognized as dual-harm behaviors, have become increasingly prevalent among college students, which is strongly related to social anxiety. Yet, the underlying mechanism remains unclear and social network sites (SNS) addictive tendency may have a mediating effect. In addition, the influence of sex requires further clarification.
Methods: A convenient sampling method was employed and 1,608 college students (females=1,245, 77.43%; Meanage=18.95 years) were recruited. Scales measuring social anxiety, online aggressive behavior, self-harm behavior, and SNS addictive tendency were utilized. Structural equation modelling based on Mplus was conducted to testify the mediating effect of SNS addictive tendency and Wald's χ2 test was employed to clarify sex difference.
Results: Social anxiety is significantly and positively related to online aggressive behavior, self-harm behavior, and SNS addictive tendency. The mediating effect of SNS addictive tendency is tested to be significant (online aggressive behavior: β=0.13, 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 0.077-0.191; self-harm behavior: β=0.05, 95% CIs, 0.000-0.104) and sex could moderate the effect of social anxiety on SNS addictive tendency. The relation between social anxiety and SNS addictive tendency is significantly stronger among males.
Conclusion: The current study suggests that social anxiety could cause a higher risk of both online aggressive and self-harm behavior through SNS addictive tendency, especially among male college students. Therefore, further interventions should target assisting college students to develop interpersonal relations in the real world could be beneficial.
期刊介绍：
The Psychiatry Investigation is published on the 25th day of every month in English by the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association (KNPA). The Journal covers the whole range of psychiatry and neuroscience. Both basic and clinical contributions are encouraged from all disciplines and research areas relevant to the pathophysiology and management of neuropsychiatric disorders and symptoms, as well as researches related to cross cultural psychiatry and ethnic issues in psychiatry. The Journal publishes editorials, review articles, original articles, brief reports, viewpoints and correspondences. All research articles are peer reviewed. Contributions are accepted for publication on the condition that their substance has not been published or submitted for publication elsewhere. Authors submitting papers to the Journal (serially or otherwise) with a common theme or using data derived from the same sample (or a subset thereof) must send details of all relevant previous publications and simultaneous submissions. The Journal is not responsible for statements made by contributors. Material in the Journal does not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or of the KNPA. Manuscripts accepted for publication are copy-edited to improve readability and to ensure conformity with house style.
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