Parental rejection and adolescent problematic social media use : role of interpersonal strengths and gender dyads

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the role of interpersonal strengths in the association between parental rejection and adolescent problematic social media use (PSMU), with a particular focus on parent–child gender interplay. Background: Existing literature has associated parental rejection with adolescent PSMU. However, the moderating mechanisms, particularly the potential gender effects, have not been well studied. Method: Based on data from 1,874 Chinese adolescents aged from 11 to 19 years old (mean age = 14.78 ± 1.44 years; 56.46% female), structural equation modeling was conducted to examine the proposed model. Results: (a) Both father and mother rejection were positively associated with adolescents' PSMU, whereas interpersonal strengths were negatively associated with PSMU; (b) in the full sample, interpersonal strengths significantly enhanced the association between father and mother rejection and PSMU; and (c) in gender subgroups, such an exacerbating effect of interpersonal strength was observed in mother–daughter, mother–son, and father–son (but not father–daughter) dyads. Conclusion: Our findings reveal the complex role of interpersonal strengths as having a direct protective effect but exacerbating the adverse link between parental rejection and adolescent PSMU. Implications: There is a need for a contextual understanding of positive psychological assets, such as interpersonal strengths, as a “double-edged sword” in parent–child relationship contexts. We call for more tailor-made practices (instead of a one-size-fits-all approach) for preventing and addressing adolescents' PSMU.