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The Effect of COVID-19 Perceived Risk on Internet Addiction among College Students in China: An Empirical Study Based on the Structural Equation Model

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  • Ling Pan

    (School of Finance and Economics, Hainan Vocational University of Science and Technology, Haikou 571126, China
    Department of Education Management, Chinese International College, Dhurakij Pundit University, Bangkok 10210, Thailand)

  • Jun Li

    (School of Finance and Economics, Hainan Vocational University of Science and Technology, Haikou 571126, China
    Department of Education Management, Chinese International College, Dhurakij Pundit University, Bangkok 10210, Thailand)

  • Ziao Hu

    (School of Finance and Economics, Hainan Vocational University of Science and Technology, Haikou 571126, China
    Department of Education Management, Chinese International College, Dhurakij Pundit University, Bangkok 10210, Thailand)

  • Henan Wu

    (School of Finance and Economics, Hainan Vocational University of Science and Technology, Haikou 571126, China)

Abstract

This study focused on COVID-19 perceived risk and Internet addiction among Chinese college students during the lockdown. On the basis of the Social Cognitive Theory, this study proposed a mediating model to evaluate the mediating role of difficulties in regulating emotion between the COVID-19 perceived risk and Internet addiction. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 690 college students during the COVID-19 lockdown in China. The results showed that the COVID-19 perceived risk was significantly positively associated with Internet addiction (r = 0.236, p < 0.001) and difficulties in emotion regulation (r = 0.220, p < 0.001), difficulties in emotion regulation was significantly positively associated with Internet addiction (r = 0.368, p < 0.001). The COVID-19 perceived risk had a significant and positive predictive effect on Internet addiction (β = 0.233, p < 0.001) among Chinese college students. The analysis of the mediation model showed that difficulties in emotion regulation partially mediated the relationship between COVID-19 perceived risk and Internet addiction (indirect effect value was 0.051 with 95% Confidence Interval ranging from 0.027 to 0.085). The findings not only enhanced our understanding of the internal influence mechanism of COVID-19 perceived risk on Internet addiction but also provided a practical basis for college education works. Finally, discussions and suggestions were provided on the basis of the results.

Suggested Citation

  • Ling Pan & Jun Li & Ziao Hu & Henan Wu, 2022. "The Effect of COVID-19 Perceived Risk on Internet Addiction among College Students in China: An Empirical Study Based on the Structural Equation Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:20:p:13377-:d:944309
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jui-Kang Tsai & Wei-Hsin Lu & Ray C. Hsiao & Huei-Fan Hu & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2020. "Relationship between Difficulty in Emotion Regulation and Internet Addiction in College Students: A One-Year Prospective Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-11, July.
    2. Bo Qian & Mengmeng Huang & Mengyi Xu & Yuxiang Hong, 2022. "Internet Use and Quality of Life: The Multiple Mediating Effects of Risk Perception and Internet Addiction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-14, February.
    3. Stephanie Rodriguez-Besteiro & José Francisco Tornero-Aguilera & Jesús Fernández-Lucas & Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez, 2021. "Gender Differences in the COVID-19 Pandemic Risk Perception, Psychology, and Behaviors of Spanish University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-9, April.
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