Emotion dysregulation as a mediator of the relationship between Instagram use, emotional intelligence, and psychopathology

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 MA in Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

2 PhD in Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

3 Assistant Professor in Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine whether emotional dysregulation mediates the relationship between Instagram use and emotional intelligence with psychopathology. The study employed a descriptive-correlational design, and the statistical population consisted of young Iranian users, from whom 302 participants were selected through convenience sampling. Participants completed the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), an Instagram Usage Questionnaire, the Bradberry-Greaves Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire, and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-16). Data were analyzed using AMOS-24 software and structural equation modeling. The results indicated significant relationships between Instagram use, emotional intelligence, emotional dysregulation, and psychopathology (p < 0.05). Bootstrap analyses revealed that emotional intelligence had a negative indirect effect on sleep problems (β = -0.11, p < 0.01) and psychological distress (β = -0.24, p < 0.01) through difficulties in emotion regulation. Furthermore, Instagram use had a positive indirect effect on psychological distress (β = 0.19, p < 0.05) and sleep problems (β = 0.11, p < 0.05) through difficulties in emotion regulation. These findings suggest that the implementation of appropriate therapeutic and educational interventions targeting emotion regulation may contribute to the reduction of psychopathology.

Keywords

References

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