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Emotional Competence as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Internet Addiction and Negative Emotion in Young Adolescents in Hong Kong

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  • Lu Yu

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Xiaohua Zhou

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

Abstract

Excessive use of the Internet in adolescents has been consistently found associated with multiple health concerns, especially negative emotions, and adversely affected one’s quality of life. While emotional competence is considered an important protective factor for youth development, its role in the relationship between Internet addiction and negative mental health outcomes has not been thoroughly investigated. The present study tested the mediation vs. moderation effects of emotional competence in the relation between Internet addiction and negative emotion in young adolescents based on 404 Hong Kong secondary school students (age = 12.4 ± 0.8 years). The results of structural equation modeling supported the mediation effect of emotional competence, but not its moderation effect. Internet addiction has both a direct influence on adolescents’ negative emotions, and an indirect effect through decreasing emotional competence. In particular, regulation of emotion appeared to be the only emotional competence dimension that mediates the relationship between Internet addiction and negative emotions. The findings suggest the importance of promoting emotional regulation competence to improve the quality of life of adolescents with Internet addiction problems.

Suggested Citation

  • Lu Yu & Xiaohua Zhou, 2021. "Emotional Competence as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Internet Addiction and Negative Emotion in Young Adolescents in Hong Kong," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(6), pages 2419-2438, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:16:y:2021:i:6:d:10.1007_s11482-021-09912-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-021-09912-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhu, Xiaoqin & Shek, Daniel T.L., 2020. "Impact of a positive youth development program on junior high school students in mainland China: A pioneer study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    2. Rachel Sun & Daniel Shek, 2013. "Longitudinal Influences of Positive Youth Development and Life Satisfaction on Problem Behaviour among Adolescents in Hong Kong," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 114(3), pages 1171-1197, December.
    3. Hoi Yan Cheung & Timothy Teo & Ming-Tak Hue, 2017. "Modeling the relationships among emotional intelligence, sensation-seeking and risk-taking attitudes of university students in Hong Kong," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(5), pages 569-589, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jianfen Wu & Hui Li, 2021. "Mindfulness for Sustainable Internet Use in Chinese Junior Secondary School Students: A Dual-Path Mediation Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-10, April.

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