Applied Psychology

Applied Psychology

Structural Relationships of Childhood Maltreatment with Internet Addiction and Risky Behaviors in Adolescents: Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation and Distress Tolerance

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Zohre Valiei 1
Mehdi Zemestani 2
Bahman Sobhani 3
1 Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Humanity and Social Sciences, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
2 Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanity and Social Sciences, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
3 M.A. of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Humanity and Social Sciences, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
10.48308/apsy.2025.239345.1797
Abstract
Aim: This study examined the structural relationships between childhood maltreatment, internet addiction, and risky behaviors in adolescents, with emotion regulation strategies and distress tolerance as mediators.
 
Method: A correlational design based on structural equation modeling was used. The sample included 462 high school students in Sanandaj selected via convenience sampling. Instruments included the Internet Addiction Test, Iranian Adolescent Risk-Taking Scale, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Distress Tolerance Scale, and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire–Child and Adolescent. Data were analyzed using SPSS-27 and AMOS-24.
 
Results: Childhood maltreatment showed direct and significant relationships with internet addiction and risky behaviors. The mediating model including emotion regulation and distress tolerance demonstrated good fit and explained substantial variance in adolescent risk outcomes.
 
Conclusion: Emotion dysregulation and low distress tolerance partially explain the link between childhood maltreatment and adolescent internet addiction and risky behaviors. School-based interventions aimed at strengthening adaptive emotion regulation and distress tolerance may reduce vulnerability among at-risk adolescents.
Keywords
Childhood Maltreatment
Internet Addiction
Risky Behaviors
Emotion Regulation
Distress Tolerance
Subjects
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