Relational Mobility and Problematic Internet Use: A Person–Environment Interactionist Perspective

Abstract

Problematic internet use (PIU) is a concerning issue worldwide, and a considerable body of knowledge has accrued from research on the predictors of PIU; however, few studies have investigated the dynamic process by which the social environment impacts individuals’ PIU. Integrating a person–environment interactionist perspective with self-determination theory, we investigate how relational mobility impacts PIU by proposing a “permeating” mechanism of social interactions (i.e., interpersonal sensitivity) and basic psychological needs (i.e., relatedness satisfaction). In Study 1, using a large data set from the Chinese General Social Survey ( N = 2,192), we found that relational mobility was negatively related to PIU. In Study 2, using a new sample ( N = 392), we found that relational mobility alleviated PIU through interpersonal sensitivity. In Study 3, using a cross-lagged design and two-wave data ( N = 298), we confirmed the chain-mediating roles of interpersonal sensitivity and relatedness satisfaction in the relationship between relational mobility and PIU.