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Parent-Adolescent Communication, School Engagement, and Internet Addiction among Chinese Adolescents: The Moderating Effect of Rejection Sensitivity

Author

Listed:
  • Jingjing Li

    (Center for Studies of Psychological Application, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China)

  • Chengfu Yu

    (Department of Psychology, Research Center of Adolescent Psychology and Behavior, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China)

  • Shuangju Zhen

    (Center for Studies of Psychological Application, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China)

  • Wei Zhang

    (Center for Studies of Psychological Application, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China)

Abstract

Although a large body of research has indicated that parent-adolescent communication is a crucial protective factor for adolescent Internet addiction, the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. To address this research gap, this study, based on social control theory and the organism-environment interaction model, was designed to test whether school engagement mediated the relationship between parent-adolescent communication and adolescent Internet addiction and whether this mediating effect was moderated by rejection sensitivity. A sample of 1006 adolescents ( Mean age = 13.16 years, SD = 0.67) anonymously completed the questionnaires. The results showed that the positive association between parent-adolescent communication and adolescent Internet addiction was mediated by school engagement. Moreover, this indirect link was stronger among adolescents with high rejection sensitivity than those with low rejection sensitivity. These findings highlighted school engagement as a potential mechanism linking parent-adolescent communication to adolescent Internet addiction, with high rejection sensitivity being an important risk factor amplifying this indirect effect. Intervention programs aimed at reducing Internet addiction among adolescents might benefit from the current research.

Suggested Citation

  • Jingjing Li & Chengfu Yu & Shuangju Zhen & Wei Zhang, 2021. "Parent-Adolescent Communication, School Engagement, and Internet Addiction among Chinese Adolescents: The Moderating Effect of Rejection Sensitivity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:7:p:3542-:d:526182
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Montserrat Peris & Usue de la Barrera & Konstanze Schoeps & Inmaculada Montoya-Castilla, 2020. "Psychological Risk Factors that Predict Social Networking and Internet Addiction in Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-23, June.
    2. Forrest-Bank, Shandra S. & Jenson, Jeffery M., 2015. "The relationship among childhood risk and protective factors, racial microaggression and ethnic identity, and academic self-efficacy and antisocial behavior in young adulthood," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 64-74.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jingjing Li & Yanhan Chen & Jiachen Lu & Weidong Li & Chengfu Yu, 2021. "Self-Control, Consideration of Future Consequences, and Internet Addiction among Chinese Adolescents: The Moderating Effect of Deviant Peer Affiliation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-10, August.
    2. Wen-Jiun Chou & Ray C. Hsiao & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2022. "Parental Efficacy in Managing Smartphone Use of Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Parental and Adolescent Related Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-10, August.

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