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Online Real-Self Presentation and Depression among Chinese Teens: Mediating Role of Social Support and Moderating Role of Dispositional Optimism

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaochun Xie

    (Northeast Normal University
    Renmin University of China)

  • Xingchao Wang

    (Renmin University of China
    Renmin University of China)

  • Fengqing Zhao

    (Renmin University of China)

  • Li Lei

    (Renmin University of China
    Renmin University of China)

  • Gengfeng Niu

    (Xi’an Jiaotong University)

  • Pengcheng Wang

    (Renmin University of China
    Renmin University of China)

Abstract

The present study aimed to test the relation between adolescents’ online real-self presentation and depression, as well as the mediating role of social support and moderating role of dispositional optimism. A sample of 1742 Chinese adolescents (girl = 961, mean age = 14.35 ± 1.52 years) completed questionnaires of depression, online real-self presentation, social support, and dispositional optimism. Results of correlation and regression analyses showed that adolescents’ online real-self presentation could predict decreased depression via increasing social support. What’s more, the mediation effect was moderated by dispositional optimism, in which the mediation effect was stronger among adolescents with low dispositional optimism than those with high dispositional optimism. This study explained how and when online real-self presentation affected adolescents’ depressive symptoms, and provided a deeper understanding of the relation between online self-presentation and adolescents’ mental health. The implications and limitations were discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaochun Xie & Xingchao Wang & Fengqing Zhao & Li Lei & Gengfeng Niu & Pengcheng Wang, 2018. "Online Real-Self Presentation and Depression among Chinese Teens: Mediating Role of Social Support and Moderating Role of Dispositional Optimism," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 11(5), pages 1531-1544, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:chinre:v:11:y:2018:i:5:d:10.1007_s12187-017-9484-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s12187-017-9484-5
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    Cited by:

    1. Fabio Alexis Rincón Uribe & Cristian Ariel Neira Espejo & Janari da Silva Pedroso, 2022. "The Role of Optimism in Adolescent Mental Health: A Systematic Review," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 815-845, February.
    2. Xie, Xiaochun & Guo, Qingtong & Wang, Pengcheng, 2021. "Childhood parental neglect and adolescent internet gaming disorder: From the perspective of a distal—proximal—process—outcome model," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    3. Jens Christoffer Skogen & Gunnhild Johnsen Hjetland & Tormod Bøe & Randi Træland Hella & Ann Kristin Knudsen, 2021. "Through the Looking Glass of Social Media. Focus on Self-Presentation and Association with Mental Health and Quality of Life. A Cross-Sectional Survey-Based Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-16, March.
    4. Lizhong Liu & Tianyi Zhang & Lei Han, 2023. "Positive Self-Disclosure on Social Network Sites and Adolescents’ Friendship Quality: The Mediating Role of Positive Feedback and the Moderating Role of Social Anxiety," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-12, February.
    5. Xiang, Guangcan & Teng, Zhaojun & Li, Qingqing & Chen, Hong & Guo, Cheng, 2020. "The influence of perceived social support on hope: A longitudinal study of older-aged adolescents in China," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).

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