Psychology: Techniques and Application

Psychology: Techniques and Application ›› 2025, Vol. 13 ›› Issue (9): 524-532.

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The Relationship Between Maladaptive Cognition of Internet Use and Internalizing/Externalizing Problems Among College Students:
The Mediating Role of Upward Social Comparison

  

  1. Tian Jiabing College of Education, China Three Gorges University；Enshi No.2 Middle School
  • Accepted:2025-07-22 Online:2025-08-25 Published:2025-08-25

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Abstract:

To explore the relationship and underlying mechanisms between maladaptive cognition of internet use, upward social comparison, and internalizing/externalizing problems (such as anxiety, depression, and aggression) among college students, we conducted a survey with 471 college students from a university in Hubei Province, using the Questionnaire of Maladaptive Cognition in Internet Use, the Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (focusing on the anxiety and depression subscales), and the Aggression Questionnaire. The results indicated that maladaptive cognition of internet use were significantly positively correlated with upward social comparison, anxiety, depression, and aggression. Furthermore, upward social comparison mediated the relationship between maladaptive cognition of internet use and both anxiety and depression. These findings provide strategic guidance for the prevention and intervention of internalizing and externalizing problems among college students from the
perspective of internet use.

Key words:

CLC Number: 

  • B844
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