Overparenting, emotion dysregulation, and problematic internet use among female emerging adults

Abstract

Although associated with adverse mental health and occupational outcomes, the etiology of internet addiction and displays of risqué social media content are two understudied issues. Research has suggested that overparenting could be associated with these internet-related behavioral issues either directly or indirectly through the development of emotion dysregulation. The association between overparenting and problematic internet use was examined among a sample of female emerging adults. Emotion dysregulation was also investigated as a potential mediator for this association. Female college students (N = 257) completed surveys at three time points over the course of one semester. Structural equation modeling suggested differential associations based on specific domains in which overparenting occurred. Emotion dysregulation fully mediated the association between overparenting in the personal/social domain and both internet addiction and risqué social media content. Academic/career-related overparenting was directly associated with internet addiction. Future directions for research and implications of the current study were provided.