Parental rejection and adolescent problematic social media use: Role of interpersonal strengths and gender dyads

Abstract

Objective

This study examined the role of interpersonal strengths in the association between parental rejection and adolescent problematic social media use (PSMU), with a particular focus on parent–child gender interplay.

Background

Existing literature has associated parental rejection with adolescent PSMU. However, the moderating mechanisms, particularly the potential gender effects, have not been well studied.

Method

Based on data from 1,874 Chinese adolescents aged from 11 to 19 years old (mean age = 14.78 ± 1.44 years; 56.46% female), structural equation modeling was conducted to examine the proposed model.

Results

(a) Both father and mother rejection were positively associated with adolescents' PSMU, whereas interpersonal strengths were negatively associated with PSMU; (b) in the full sample, interpersonal strengths significantly enhanced the association between father and mother rejection and PSMU; and (c) in gender subgroups, such an exacerbating effect of interpersonal strength was observed in mother–daughter, mother–son, and father–son (but not father–daughter) dyads.

Conclusion

Our findings reveal the complex role of interpersonal strengths as having a direct protective effect but exacerbating the adverse link between parental rejection and adolescent PSMU.

Implications

There is a need for a contextual understanding of positive psychological assets, such as interpersonal strengths, as a “double-edged sword” in parent–child relationship contexts. We call for more tailor-made practices (instead of a one-size-fits-all approach) for preventing and addressing adolescents' PSMU.