Work

Gratitude and problematic internet use in middle school students: the roles of perceived social support and self-harmony

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: With the rapid development of the internet, its penetration among Chinese middle school students has neared saturation, and the issue of problematic internet use has become increasingly prominent. Therefore, the protective factors that curb this behavior warrant in-depth research. This study surveyed 1,255 middle school students to investigate the association between gratitude and problematic internet use as well as the potential mediating roles of perceived social support and self-harmony. The results indicated a significant negative correlation between gratitude and problematic internet use. Furthermore, gratitude was significantly associated with problematic internet use, and this association was mediated by perceived social support and self-harmony individually as well as through their serial mediation. These findings may inform future interventional research and theory development on problematic internet use.

Source: Frontiers in Psychology

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1937434

Authors: Xiao Xiao, Qingyin Xiao, Yuting Liu, Youlong Zhan

Institutions: Hunan First Normal University, Hunan University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Impact of Technology on Adolescents

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801