School disconnectedness and Adolescent Internet Addiction: Mediation by self-esteem and moderation by emotional intelligence

A growing body of research has shown that school disconnectedness (low school bonding) is a salient risk factor for internet addiction (IA) among adolescents. However, the mediating and moderating mechanisms linking school disconnectedness to IA are still not well understood. This study examined whether self-esteem mediates the relationship between school disconnectedness and IA, and whether this mediating process is moderated by emotional intelligence. A total of 2758 Chinese adolescents (M-age = 13.53 years, SD = 1.06) completed a series of anonymous questionnaires on demographic variables, school disconnectedness, self-esteem, emotional intelligence, and IA. After controlling for demographic variables, school disconnectedness was found to be positively associated with IA among adolescents. Mediation analysis indicated that self-esteem partially mediated the relationship between school disconnectedness and IA. Moderated mediation analysis further revealed that emotional intelligence moderated the associations between school disconnectedness and adolescent self-esteem and IA. The negative relationship between school disconnectedness and self-esteem and the positive relationship between school disconnectedness and IA were stronger in adolescents with higher levels of emotional intelligence, showing reverse risk-buffering effects. These findings elucidate the role of contextual factors (such as school disconnectedness) and personal factors (such as self-esteem and emotional intelligence) in adolescent IA, and suggest that comprehensive and holistic intervention programs may be promising for reducing IA among adolescents.