Impulsivity, Self-Esteem, Meaning in Life, and Internet Addiction Among University Students: A Moderated Mediation Analysis

= .117). The direct association between meaning-seeking in life and IA in the regression model was statistically significant (B = 0.214, p = .004); however, the indirect pathway through meaning-seeking in life was moderated by self-esteem. The moderated mediation index was significant (Index = -0.032, 95% CI [-0.076, -0.007]), and the findings indicate that the indirect component of the relationship between impulsivity and IA level, mediated by meaning-seeking in life, varies according to self-esteem level; the indirect association is more pronounced at lower self-esteem scores. These findings were interpreted within a cross-sectional design framework and suggest that impulsivity is related to IA levels and that the conditional indirect mechanism is present, although its magnitude appears modest.

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Publication Details

Journal
Psychological Reports
Published
2026-05-10
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/00332941261450508
Primary Topic
Impact of Technology on Adolescents
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Impulsivity, Self-Esteem, Meaning in Life, and Internet Addiction Among University Students: A Moderated Mediation Analysis

Arzu Bulut
Psychological Reports
Impact of Technology on Adolescents
article

Impulsivity, Self-Esteem, Meaning in Life, and Internet Addiction Among University Students: A Moderated Mediation Analysis

Arzu Bulut
article en

Abstract

= .117). The direct association between meaning-seeking in life and IA in the regression model was statistically significant (B = 0.214, p = .004); however, the indirect pathway through meaning-seeking in life was moderated by self-esteem. The moderated mediation index was significant (Index = -0.032, 95% CI [-0.076, -0.007]), and the findings indicate that the indirect component of the relationship between impulsivity and IA level, mediated by meaning-seeking in life, varies according to self-esteem level; the indirect association is more pronounced at lower self-esteem scores. These findings were interpreted within a cross-sectional design framework and suggest that impulsivity is related to IA levels and that the conditional indirect mechanism is present, although its magnitude appears modest.

Psychological Reports
Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University (TR)
Openalex Percentile: Top 3%
Impact of Technology on Adolescents
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