Perfectionistic Self-Presentation and SNS Addiction Tendency: The Mediating Roles of Online-Offline Self-Discrepancy and Emotional Dysregulation

Objectives The study aimed to explore how online-offline self-discrepancy and emotional dysregulation mediate the link between perfectionistic self-presentation and social networking site (SNS) addiction tendency. Methods 530 participants in their twenties and thirties completed an online survey with measures including Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale - Korean version(PSPS-K), SNS Addiction Tendency Scale, Online-Offline Self-Discrepancy Scale, and K-Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale(K-DERS). Results Results showed significant positive correlations between all predictors and SNS addiction tendency. Path analyses revealed both online-offline self-discrepancy and emotional dysregulation as significant mediators. The full mediation model had better fit than partial mediation. Conclusions Counseling strategies for SNS addiction in individuals with perfectionistic self-presentation should target reducing online-offline self-discrepancy and managing emotional dysregulation. The study acknowledges its limitations and suggests avenues for further research.