Self-Control and Problematic Internet Use in College Students: The Chain Mediating Effect of Rejection Sensitivity and Loneliness

Abstract

Purpose To explore the relationship between self-control, rejection sensitivity, loneliness, and problematic internet use in college students. Patients and Methods A total of 725 college students were investigated using Self-control Scale, Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire, Loneliness Scale, and Internet Addiction Scale. Results ① Correlation analysis showed that self-control was negatively related to rejection sensitivity, loneliness, and problematic internet use; rejection sensitivity was positively related to loneliness and problematic internet use; loneliness was positively related to problematic internet use. ② Chain mediating effect analysis showed that self-control can not only affect problematic internet use in college students, but also through three indirect paths, as follows: the mediating role of rejection sensitivity and loneliness, the chain mediating roles of rejection sensitivity and loneliness, and the mediating effect size, accounting for 9.76%, 20.73%, and 4.88% of the total effect, respectively. Conclusion Rejection sensitivity and loneliness played a chain mediating role in the relationship between self-control and problematic internet use in college students.

The relationship between physical exercise and problematic internet use in college students: the chain-mediated role of self-control and loneliness

“…According to the Addictive Behavior Model (I-PACE), the reduction of individual executive control and inhibitory control leads to the reduction of motivation seeking and desire suppression, which leads to excessive addictive behavior [ 57 ], and PIU behavior was an impulsive control disorder in the internet context, and its essence was the behavior problem of individuals lacking the ability to control internet use [ 58 ]. Studies have shown that self-control could directly and negatively predict PIU of college students [ 44 , 59 ], when encountering negative life events, college students with low self-control levels may be more likely to immerse themselves in negative emotions and satisfy the urge to immediately use smartphones to seek comfort, thus leading to smartphone addiction [ 60 ]. Interestingly, our results suggested that physical exercise may negatively affect PIU through the mediating role of self-control.…”

“…In interpersonal communication, individuals with high self-control ability usually suffer less social rejection and feel less loneliness, conversely, low self-control may lead to interpersonal rejection and thus exacerbate loneliness [ 42 ], which may be related to the fact that individuals with low self-control ability often have insufficient social communication skills, and it was easy to cause loneliness in the psychological state [ 43 ]. Further study has found that loneliness plays a mediating role between self-control and PIU among college students, as shown by the fact that individuals with high self-control levels can suppress cognition and emotions caused by rejection, treat interpersonal communication rationally, reduce loneliness, and thus reduce dependence on the internet [ 44 ]. In addition, it has been mentioned above that physical exercise is one of the predictors of self-control and loneliness, can it influence the problematic Internet use of college students through the chain mediating effect of self-control and loneliness?…”

More grateful, less addicted! Understanding how gratitude affects online gaming addiction among Chinese college students: a three-wave multiple mediation model

“…Low self-control has also been linked to loneliness, with studies showing that individuals with low self-control may struggle to establish and maintain social relationships, contributing to feelings of loneliness [46]. Similarly, a recent study found that self-control significantly predicts feelings of loneliness among college students [47]. Building on these theoretical and empirical findings, we suggest that gratitude could enhance self-control in young adults, which could help alleviate feelings of loneliness and reduce addictive online game playing in the long term.…”

A Systematic Review of the Impact of Physical Activity on Cognitive and Noncognitive Development in Chinese University Students

“…The GPA is another important factor that influences university students' satisfaction [7]. Furthermore, a burdensome academic routine poses more challenges for these students, causing them to make the difficult decision to prioritize the acquisition of high academic grades to the detriment of their physical activity participation [28,29].…”