The rejection sensitivity and problematic internet use among medical students: A moderated mediation model involving loneliness and self-control

Abstract

Background The internet has evolved into an integral facet of the life and educational experience of college students. However, the driving force behind problematic internet use in medical students remains largely unexplored. Based on the cognitive-behavioral model and the affect regulation model of vulnerability, the present study seeks to investigate the underlying mechanism of the association between rejection sensitivity and problematic internet use among medical students. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in a medical university from March to June, 2023. A total of 435 medical-undergraduate students were investigated using The Tendency to Expect Rejection Scale, Loneliness Scale, Self-control Scale, Problematic Internet Test. Pearson’s correlation analysis was utilized to explore the interrelationships among the variables, additionally, a moderated mediation model was analyzed using Hayes's PROCESS macro. Results After controlling for gender, age, and rejection sensitivity could positively predict loneliness (r = 0.36, p < 0.01) and problematic internet use (r = 0.39, p < 0.01), while self-control was negatively correlated with problematic internet use (r = -0.55, p < 0.01). Mediation analyses revealed that loneliness served as a mediator in the link between rejection sensitivity and problematic internet use, with the mediation effect explaining 18.18% of the variance.[SE = 0.02, 95% CI = (0.02, 0.10)]. Moderated mediation analysis indicated that self-control moderated the second stage of the indirect effects in the relationship between rejection sensitivity and problematic internet use. Conclusion Loneliness plays a mediating role between rejection sensitivity and problematic internet use, and self-control plays an important moderating role in the effect of loneliness on problematic internet use.