Problematic social networking sites use and online social anxiety: The role of attachment, emotion dysregulation and motives

Claudia Marino; Tommaso Manari; Alessio Vieno; Chiara Imperato; Marcantonio M. Spada; Christian Franceschini; Alessandro Musetti

doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107572

Problematic social networking sites use and online social anxiety: The role of attachment, emotion dysregulation and motives

Claudia Marino
, Tommaso Manari
, Alessio Vieno
, Chiara Imperato
, Marcantonio M. Spada
, Christian Franceschini
, Alessandro Musetti

London South Bank University

University of Padua
London South Bank University
University of Parma
Division of Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

46 Citations (Scopus)

12 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Problematic Social Networking Sites Use (PSNSU) and social anxiety are associated. SNSs users may develop online social anxiety that may become a standalone problem. The present study aims to test the mediating role of emotion dysregulation and motives (coping, conformity, social, and enhancement) between attachment (anxiety and avoidance) and two outcomes (PSNSU and online social anxiety) in an integrated theory-driven model. Self-report questionnaires were completed by 756 SNSs users (50.4 % females; mean age = 28.74 years, SD = 8.00). Results of the path analysis supported the partial mediating role of emotion dysregulation in the association between attachment anxiety and both the outcomes and the serial mediating role via four and three motives in the association with PSNSU and online social anxiety, respectively. This study highlighted the role of several relational, emotional, and motivational factors that should be taken into account to tackle PSNSU and online social anxiety through clinical and prevention interventions.

Original language	English
Article number	107572
Journal	Addictive Behaviors
Volume	138
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107572
Publication status	Published - 5 Dec 2022

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Attachment
Emotion dysregulation
Motives
Problematic social networking sites use
Social anxiety

Access to Document

10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107572

Marino, C. et al. Problematic social networking sites use and online social anxietyAccepted author manuscript, 193 KBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Cite this

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title = "Problematic social networking sites use and online social anxiety: The role of attachment, emotion dysregulation and motives",

abstract = "Problematic Social Networking Sites Use (PSNSU) and social anxiety are associated. SNSs users may develop online social anxiety that may become a standalone problem. The present study aims to test the mediating role of emotion dysregulation and motives (coping, conformity, social, and enhancement) between attachment (anxiety and avoidance) and two outcomes (PSNSU and online social anxiety) in an integrated theory-driven model. Self-report questionnaires were completed by 756 SNSs users (50.4 \% females; mean age = 28.74 years, SD = 8.00). Results of the path analysis supported the partial mediating role of emotion dysregulation in the association between attachment anxiety and both the outcomes and the serial mediating role via four and three motives in the association with PSNSU and online social anxiety, respectively. This study highlighted the role of several relational, emotional, and motivational factors that should be taken into account to tackle PSNSU and online social anxiety through clinical and prevention interventions.",

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author = "Claudia Marino and Tommaso Manari and Alessio Vieno and Chiara Imperato and Spada, \{Marcantonio M.\} and Christian Franceschini and Alessandro Musetti",

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T2 - The role of attachment, emotion dysregulation and motives

AU - Marino, Claudia

AU - Manari, Tommaso

AU - Vieno, Alessio

AU - Imperato, Chiara

AU - Spada, Marcantonio M.

AU - Franceschini, Christian

AU - Musetti, Alessandro

PY - 2022/12/5

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AB - Problematic Social Networking Sites Use (PSNSU) and social anxiety are associated. SNSs users may develop online social anxiety that may become a standalone problem. The present study aims to test the mediating role of emotion dysregulation and motives (coping, conformity, social, and enhancement) between attachment (anxiety and avoidance) and two outcomes (PSNSU and online social anxiety) in an integrated theory-driven model. Self-report questionnaires were completed by 756 SNSs users (50.4 % females; mean age = 28.74 years, SD = 8.00). Results of the path analysis supported the partial mediating role of emotion dysregulation in the association between attachment anxiety and both the outcomes and the serial mediating role via four and three motives in the association with PSNSU and online social anxiety, respectively. This study highlighted the role of several relational, emotional, and motivational factors that should be taken into account to tackle PSNSU and online social anxiety through clinical and prevention interventions.

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