The Role of Psychological Flexibility in Adolescent Internet Gaming Disorder and Social Media Addiction: Emotional Regulation and Stress Coping Mechanisms

Abstract Internet gaming disorder (IGD) and social media addiction (SMA) among adolescents have raised considerable public concerns. Psychological inflexibility (PI), a core target of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), may contribute to these problems, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The current study explores the association between PI and symptoms of IGD and SMA, as well as the potential mediating effects of emotional regulation (i.e., cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) and stress coping strategies (i.e., assistance seeking, problem solving, cognitive avoidance, and behavioral avoidance). A structured, anonymous survey was conducted among 3,950 secondary school students (mean age = 13.7, SD = 1.2; 34.6% female). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess the proposed mediation model. Direct associations between PI, IGD symptoms ( β = .24), and SMA symptoms ( β = .23) were found. Higher PI was also associated with increased cognitive and behavioral avoidance, which in turn increased the risk of both IGD and SMA (indirect βs = .02 −.07). Additionally, PI was negatively associated with assistance-seeking, which in turn increased SMA (indirect β = –.01). Emotional regulation strategies did not show significant mediating effects. In summary, psychological inflexibility showed both direct and indirect links (via coping) to IGD and SMA symptoms. ACT can be a transdiagnostic therapy for IGD and SMA by increasing psychological flexibility and reducing avoidant coping.