The Mediating Role of Coping Strategies in the Relationship of Difficulties in Emotion Regulation With Internet Addiction Among College Students

Aims: This study aims to assess the mediating role of coping strategies in the relationship between Difficulties in Emotion Regulation (DER) and Internet Addiction (IA) among college students. Methods & Materials: This is a descriptive-correlational study. Participants were 375 students of Islamic Azad University of Karaj Branch in 2018 who were selected using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected via self-report using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Coping Responses Inventory, and Internet Addiction Questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed in SPSS v. 25 using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, and concurrent hierarchical linear regression analysis (using Baron & Kenny approach). Findings: A significant relationship was observed between DER and maladaptive coping strategy (P<0.05, r=0.527), between IA and maladaptive coping strategy (P<0.05, r=0.386), and between DER and IA (P<0.05, r=0.548). Hierarchical regression analysis results showed that maladaptive coping strategy was the mediator of the relationship between DER and IA. Conclusion: DER is associated with IA and has a positive impact on maladaptive coping strategy of students, which can increase their IA.