Alternative interpretations of the association between interparental conflict and adolescent online flaming: A reanalysis of Zeng et al. (2026)
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Using the covariance matrix reported by Zeng et al., we reassess the evidence supporting their proposed mediation model linking interparental conflict to adolescent online flaming. We demonstrate that the observed relationships can be reproduced with high precision by an alternative latent variable model that does not require the sequence of influence suggested in the original article. In this alternative account, adolescent-reported interparental conflict, psychological stress, online disinhibition, and online flaming are viewed as manifestations of broader underlying tendencies related to general disinhibition. The findings illustrate the problem of model underdetermination in observational research, whereby distinct theoretical explanations may fit the same empirical data. We therefore recommend greater attention to competing model specifications and caution when interpreting correlational findings as evidence for specific influencing mechanisms.
Source: PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints)
Authors: Kimmo Sorjonen, Bo Melin, Marika Melin
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7207606599