The relationship between emotional abuse and internet addiction in Chinese children: A serial multiple mediation of emotional dysregulation and regulatory emotional self-efficacy

Abstract

Background Internet addiction (IA) among children is a serious problem and it is imperative to explore the risk and protective factors involved. Previous studies have suggested that emotional abuse may be a significant risk factor for IA in children; however, the relationship remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between emotional abuse and IA in children and to explore the roles of emotional dysregulation (ED) and regulatory emotional self-efficacy (RESE) in mediating this relationship. Methods A sample of 556 Chinese fourth to sixth grade primary school students completed questionnaires on emotional abuse, ED, RESE, and IA. Results Emotional abuse has a positive predictive effect on IA in children. This relationship was serially mediated by ED and RESE. Conclusions ED and RESE have chain-mediating effects in the relationship between emotional abuse and IA. These findings suggest that improving emotional regulation abilities and confidence in abused children is a promising strategy to reduce the adverse impact of emotional abuse and the risk of IA in children.