Self-control and problematic use of social networking sites: Examining distress tolerance as a mediator among Argentinian college students

Addictive Behaviors Reports

Yanina Michelini¹  Adrian J. Bravo²  Paula Aguirre³  Ricardo Marcos Pautassi⁴  Angelina Pilatti⁴ 

[1] Corresponding author at: Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas, IIPSI, Unidad Ejecutora CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina. Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Bv. de la Reforma esquina Enfermera Gordillo, Ciudad Universitaria, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina.;Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas, IIPsi-CONICET-UNC, Córdoba, Argentina;Instituto de Investigacion Medica Mercedes y Martin Ferreyra (INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Cordoba), Argentina;Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Psicología, Córdoba, Argentina;

关键词: Impulsivity;    Self-regulation;    Emotion regulation strategies;    Distress tolerance;    Problematic social networking sites use;    College students;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Introduction: Use of Social networking sites (SNSs) is a highly prevalent behavior worldwide and, for some individuals, its use can turn maladaptive. There has been growing interest to identify which variables are associated with problematic use of SNSs. Aim: The present study cross-sectionally examined whether the associations between different features of self-control (i.e., impulsivity-like traits, self-regulation and emotion regulation) indirectly relate to two outcomes of SNSs (hours of use and problematic use) via distress tolerance. Methods: A sample of 509 Argentinean college students (70.3% female; Mean age = 21.15 ± 5.15) completed an online survey. Results: Two significant indirect effects were found: a) higher negative urgency was associated with higher problematic use of SNSs via lower distress tolerance and b) higher self-regulation was associated with lower problematic use of SNSs via higher distress tolerance. Positive urgency, negative urgency and self-regulation had significant direct associations with problematic use of SNSs while neither component of emotion regulation was significantly associated with SNSs outcomes. No significant direct or indirect effects were found between any of the self-control features and time spent using SNSs. Conclusions: The results highlight dysfunctional self-control, particularly emotion-driven impulsivity and low self-regulation, as relevant components of maladaptive SNSs that seem to operate by decreasing the perceived capacity to tolerate negative affect. In this context, interventions targeting the development and improvement of distress tolerance abilities might have a positive impact on problematic use of SNS.

【 授权许可】

Unknown