The Relationship Between Social Support and Internet Addiction Among Chinese Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multiple Mediation Model of Resilience and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

Xiumin Cui,1,2 Xinli Chi3 1College of Education for the Future, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, 519087, People’s Republic of China; 2The Affiliated Kindergarten of Meilian Primary School, Shenzhen, 518035, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Xinli ChiSchool of Psychology, Shenzhen University, 1688 Nanhai Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail xinlichi@126.comIntroduction: Lockdowns and online homeschooling during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic have significantly increased Internet use and adolescents’ risk of developing or reinforcing related addictive behaviors. While various theoretical propositions have suggested that social support, resilience, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms can predict Internet addiction, no study has yet examined the combined influence of these factors on Internet addiction. This study therefore aimed to investigate the mediating roles of resilience and PTSD symptoms in the relationship between perceived social support and the Internet addiction of Chinese adolescents in the context of COVID-19.Methods: This study included 2544 adolescents living in the south China city of Qinzhou. The participants completed a self-report questionnaire one week before their return to classes after homeschooling. To examine whether resilience and PTSD symptoms mediated the relationship between social support and Internet addiction, we performed serial mediation analysis using the Model 6 PROCESS macro developed by Hayes (2013).Results: Social support was negatively and directly associated with Internet addiction and indirectly via resilience, PTSD symptoms, and by the multiple mediation of resilience to PTSD symptoms.Discussion: The results of this study suggest that, to address Internet addiction, it may be more effective to focus not on addictive behaviors themselves but on individuals’ existing mental health. It is important to provide adequate social support to improve the resilience of adolescents, thereby reducing PTSD symptoms and Internet addiction.Keywords: social support, resilience, PTSD symptoms, Internet addiction, COVID-19 pandemic, adolescent