Perceived Parental Negligence and Social Media Addiction among Adolescents: Moderating Effects of Social Isolation

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between perceived parental negligence, social media addiction, and social isolation among adolescents. Through purposive sampling, 1188 adolescents (boys & girls) were selected from 4 cities (Gujrat, Kharian, Sara -Alamgir & Jalapur Jattan) in Pakistan. Data were collected by using the Multidimensional Neglectful Behavior Scale (Ross & Strauss, 1995), Social Media Addiction Scale (Şahin, 2018), and UCLA Loneliness Scale (Russel, 1996). Findings indicated a strong positive relationship between perceived parental negligence, social media addiction and social isolation (p>.01) in adolescents. Results indicated that boys scored more on the perceived parental negligence, loneliness and social media addiction scale as compared to girls. Further, adolescents who were in the age group of 10 to 14 years were more addicted to social media and experienced a higher level of parental negligence and loneliness than adolescents of other age groups. Moreover, it was also revealed that perceived parental negligence was a significant predictor of social media addiction (F=14.645, p<.01). Moderation analysis indicated that social isolation significantly moderates the relationship between perceived parental negligence and social media addiction.