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The Mediating Role of Difficulties in Emotion Regulation in The Relationship Between Facets of Impulsivity with Internet Addiction
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Parsa Javanmard   , Azam Noferesti * , Reza Rostami |
| Assistant Professor, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. |
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Abstract: (55 Views) |
Internet addiction (IA) is a public health concern marked by excessive online engagement that disrupts daily functioning. This study examined whether difficulties in emotion regulation mediate the relationship between cognitive, motor, and non-planning impulsivity and IA. A cross‐sectional design sampled 600 adults (ages 18–30) using convenience sampling. Participants completed measures of impulsivity (BIS‐11), emotion regulation difficulties (DERS), and IA (IAT). Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation and structural equation modeling with SPSS v25 and Amos v24; mediation was tested via bootstrapping. The structural equation modeling results confirmed the mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties (DERS) in the relationship between impulsivity dimensions and internet addiction (IA). Motor impulsivity (β = 0.310, P < .001) and non-planning impulsivity (β = 0.229, P < .001) significantly predicted greater emotion dysregulation, which in turn strongly predicted increased IA severity (β = 0.447, P < .001). Cognitive impulsivity directly predicted both DERS (β = 0.391, P < .001) and IA (β = 0.271, P < .001), but its indirect pathway through DERS was non-significant. Bootstrapping analyses revealed significant indirect effects for motor (β = 0.138, 95% CI [0.074, 0.294]) and non-planning impulsivity (β = 0.102, 95% CI [0.031, 0.224]), confirming DERS as a partial mediator. The model demonstrated satisfactory fit (χ²/df = 2.937, CFI = 0.928, RMSEA = 0.06). Emotion regulation difficulties serve as a key mediator between impulsivity particularly motor and non-planning and IA. Interventions focused on improving emotion regulation may help mitigate IA risk, especially among understudied groups such as Iranian adults. |
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| Keywords: Internet addiction, emotion regulation difficulties, cognitive impulsivity, motor impulsivity, nonplanning impulsivity. |
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
General
Received: 2025/04/15 | Revised: 2025/09/20 | Accepted: 2025/09/9
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