A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Need for Distinctiveness Leads to Pathological Internet Use? The Perspective of Cognitive Behavioral Model




AuthorsZeng Wei, Wei Hua, Liu Meiting

PublisherMDPI

Publishing placeBasel

Publication year2023

JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Journal name in sourceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH

Journal acronymINT J ENV RES PUB HE

Article number 1609

Volume20

Issue2

Number of pages13

eISSN1660-4601

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021609

Web address https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021609

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/178739772


Abstract

Based on the cognitive behavioral model of pathological Internet use and the gender role theory, this present study investigated the association between the need for distinctiveness and pathological Internet use. Additionally, we explored a mediating role of maladaptive cognition in the association between the need for distinctiveness and pathological Internet use and tested whether the mediation model was moderated by gender. A sample of 745 Chinese university students (Mage = 19.92, SDage = 1.42) was studied and participants completed anonymous questionnaires regarding the need for distinctiveness, maladaptive cognition, and pathological Internet use. Results revealed that the need for distinctiveness was positively associated with pathological Internet use, and the association between the need for distinctiveness and pathological Internet use was mediated by maladaptive cognition. In addition, gender moderated the association between maladaptive cognition and pathological Internet use; the effect was stronger for female participants than male participants. The findings expanded our understanding of the dark side of seeking distinctiveness. Practically, the results suggest that policymakers and psychological practitioners consider gender in preventing and intervening in pathological Internet use.


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Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 20:35