Association of harsh parenting and maltreatment with internet addiction, and the mediating role of bullying and social support

Camilla K.M. Lo, Frederick K. Ho, Clifton Emery, Ko Ling Chan, Rosa S. Wong, Keith T.S. Tung, Patrick Ip

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

36 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Growing evidence has shown that exposure to harsh parenting and child maltreatment elevate the risk of Internet addiction in adolescence. Yet, limited research has examined the mechanisms underlying this association. The present study was a cross-sectional school survey of 1204 adolescents (52.2 % male and 47.8 % female; mean age, 13.36 years) in Hong Kong. The adolescents completed a self-reported questionnaire about their exposure to bullying victimization, bullying perpetration, child maltreatment, Internet addiction, and social support. The findings showed that harsh parenting and maltreatment was significantly associated with Internet addiction. After controlling for a number of confounding factors, the results of the mediation analyses showed that family support and bullying perpetration, and family support and bullying victimization accounted for 36 % and 25 % of the effect of harsh discipline and maltreatment on Internet addiction, respectively. Effective prevention and intervention strategies for Internet addiction should target family and social vulnerabilities in adolescents.

Original languageEnglish
Article number104928
JournalChild Abuse and Neglect
Volume113
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2021

Keywords

  • Bullying
  • Child maltreatment
  • Chinese
  • Internet addiction
  • Parental harsh discipline
  • Social support

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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