The Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation in the Relationship Between Problematic Social Network Use and Trait Anxiety

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 3, 253 - 260, 27.09.2025

Fatih Ordu

https://doi.org/10.35365/ctjpp.25.3.04

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of emotion regulation (ER) in the relationship between problematic social network use (PSNU) and trait anxiety (TA) levels. A total of 531 adult participants residing in Türkiye took part in this correlational study. Data were collected using the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, the Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Emotion Regulation Skills Scale. Structural equation modelling was employed to assess the mediating effect of ER. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between PSNU and TA. Additionally, a significant negative relationship was observed between PSNU and ER, as well as between ER and TA. ER was found to mediate the relationship between PSNU and TA. When ER was incorporated into the model, the direct effect of PSNU on TA decreased but remained statistically significant, indicating a partial mediation effect. PSNU alone accounted for 24% of the variance in TA; however, with the inclusion of ER as a mediator, the explained variance increased to 51%. The research model was validated, and the theoretical framework was supported. The results suggest that difficulties in ER may contribute to the behavioral addiction cycle of PSNU. Therefore, it is recommended that the interrelationships among anxiety, ER difficulties, and PSNU be considered in clinical assessment and treatment processes.

Keywords

Addictive Behaviour , Social Media Addiction , Anxiety , Emotion Regulation

Sosyal Ağların Sorunlu Kullanımı ve Sürekli Kaygı Arasındaki İlişkide Duygu Düzenlemenin Aracı Rolü

Abstract

Bu araştırmanın amacı sosyal ağların sorunlu kullanımı (SASK) ile sürekli kaygı düzeyi arasındaki ilişkide DD’nin aracı rolünü incelemektir. Türkiye'de ikamet eden toplam 531 yetişkin katılımcı; korelasyonel desenli olan bu çalışmada yer almıştır. Veriler Bergen Sosyal Medya Bağımlılığı Ölçeği, Sürekli Kaygı Envanteri ve Duygu Düzenleme Becerileri Ölçeği ile toplanmıştır. DD’nin aracı rolü yapısal eşitlik modellemesinde analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular, SASK ile sürekli kaygı arasında anlamlı pozitif bir ilişki olduğunu ortaya çıkarmıştır. SASK ve sürekli kaygı ile DD arasında anlamlı negatif bir ilişki gözlenmiştir. DD’nin SASK ile sürekli kaygı arasındaki ilişkiye aracılık ettiği belirlenmiştir. DD aracı değişken olarak modele dahil edildiğinde, SASK'nın sürekli kaygı üzerindeki doğrudan etkisi azalmış, ancak istatistiksel olarak anlamlı kalmaya devam etmiştir. Bu bulgu, DD’nin araştırma modelindeki kısmi aracı rolünü ortaya çıkarmıştır. SASK tek başına sürekli kaygıdaki varyansın %24'ünü açıklamıştır. DD’nin aracı değişken olarak modele dahil edilmesiyle, açıklanan varyans %51'e yükselmiştir. Araştırma modeli doğrulanmış ve teorik çerçeve desteklenmiştir. Sonuçlar, DD’deki güçlüklerin SASK'nın davranışsal bağımlılık döngüsüne katkıda bulunabileceğini göstermektedir. Bu nedenlerle, kaygı, DD güçlükleri ve SASK arasındaki karşılıklı ilişkilerin klinik değerlendirme ve tedavi süreçlerinde değerlendirilmesi önerilmektedir.

Keywords

Davranışsal Bağımlılık , Sosyal Medya Bağımlılığı , Kaygı , Duygu Düzenleme

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