Relationship between Materialism and Social Networking Site Addiction among Adolescents: A Moderated Mediation Model

Abstract

Materialism has been consistently linked to Internet-related addictions, including compulsive online shopping, problematic online gaming, and excessive smartphone use; however, the relationship between materialism and social networking site (SNS) addiction has remained unclear. Thus, this study aims to examine the association between materialism and SNS addiction and investigate the mediating effect of fatalism and moderating effect of self-concept clarity in this relationship among 703 Chinese adolescents. Materialism was significantly positively associated with SNS addiction in adolescents, and fatalism partially mediated this association. Moreover, self-concept clarity moderated the direct and indirect relationships between materialism and SNS addiction. Specifically, for adolescents with low (versus high) self-concept clarity, those who also had high levels of materialism were more likely to develop fatalistic beliefs and showed further symptoms of SNS addiction. This study’s findings imply that decreasing materialism and fatalism and developing self-concept clarity might be effective interventions for reducing SNS addiction among adolescents.

Keywords:

• Addiction
• cognitive development
• self-concept

Disclosure Statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by National Social Science Foundation of China (No. 20&ZD319).

Notes on contributors

Jingyu Geng

Jingyu Geng is a Ph.D candidate of Department of Psychology in Renmin University of China. Her research takes on cyberbullying, Internet addiction, smart phone addiction, personality and parenting.

Hongxia Wang

Hongxia Wang is a Ph.D candidate of Department of Psychology in Renmin University of China. Her research takes on Internet deviant behavior.

Ling Bao

Ling Bao is a Ph.D candidate of Department of Psychology in Renmin University of China. Her research takes on non-suicidal self-injury.

Jing Wang

Jing Wang is a Ph.D candidate of Department of Psychology in Renmin University of China. Her research takes on Cyber psychology.

Xinyi Wei

Xinyi Wei is a Ph.D candidate of Department of Psychology in Renmin University of China. Her research takes on Cyber psychology.

Biao Li

Biao Li a Professor of School of Journalism and Communication in Renmin University of China. His research experiences have focused on New media and psychology.

Li Lei

Li Lei is a Professor of School of Education in Renmin University of China. His research experiences have focused on developmental psychology and Cyber psychology.