Internet addiction and suicidal ideation in Chinese college students: The role of meaning in life and social support

Abstract

Worldwide, internet addiction and suicidal ideation have become serious issues in public health. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms in the relationship between internet addiction and suicidal ideation. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between internet addiction and suicidal ideation, and the role of meaning in life (MIL) and social support in this relationship. A total of 714 (female= 53.78%; mean age = 18.29 years, SD = 0.68 years) completed internet addiction, suicidal ideation, MIL, and social support measures. Results from PROCESS Model analysis showed higher internet addiction to be associated with a higher risk for suicidal ideation. This association was fully mediated by MIL so that internet addiction predicts suicidal ideation by reducing MIL. Social support moderated the effect of loss of MIL on suicidal ideation; namely, a lower sense of MIL was associated with higher suicidal ideation at low levels of social support, while high social support eliminated the effect of meaninglessness on suicidal ideation among college students. These findings imply a need for intervention in order to prevent suicidal ideation in college students in the digital era.

Keywords:

• electronic media
• identity development
• internet resources
• interpersonal needs
• well-being

Declaration of competing interest

The authors have no competing interests to declare.