The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy and Internet Addiction Among College Students: Mediating Role of Basic Psychological Needs and Self-Control

The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy and Internet Addiction Among College Students: Mediating Role of Basic Psychological Needs and Self-Control | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy and Internet Addiction Among College Students: Mediating Role of Basic Psychological Needs and Self-Control Yaokun Li, Jing Lv, Li Pan This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9211081/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Internet addiction among college students is closely associated with individual traits. Although previous studies have examined the impact of self-efficacy on Internet addiction, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigates how self-efficacy influences Internet addiction. Specifically, it examined the mediating roles of basic psychological needs and self-control in this relationship. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 547 college students in China. The results revealed the following: (1) Self-efficacy significantly and negatively predicted Internet addiction among college students. (2) Self-efficacy reduces Internet addiction both directly and indirectly by enhancing basic psychological needs. (3) There is a specific chain-mediated pathway: Self-efficacy increases basic psychological needs satisfaction (BPNS), which improves self-control. This improvement in self-control further reduces internet addiction. This chain-mediated pathway fully accounts for the indirect effect of self-efficacy on Internet addiction. Consequently, self-efficacy mitigates Internet addiction through indirect effects mediated by basic psychological needs and self-control. Self-efficacy basic psychological needs self-control internet addiction college students Figures Figure 1 Introduction As society evolves, the internet presents both development opportunities and numerous risks. Difficulty controlling impulsive online behavior or excessive internet use can result in “internet addiction” (Brand et al., 2016 ). Adolescents, specifically college students, represent a high-risk group for problematic internet use (Weinstein & Lejoyeux, 2010 ). Existing research reveals that internet addiction can significantly impair mental and physical health. Furthermore, it can strain interpersonal relationships, negatively affect academic performance, and contribute to prominent social issues. Despite recognizing the harm, individuals often struggle to stop addictive behaviors (Abdullahi, 1998 ; Czincz & Hechanova, 2009 ). Factors such as personality traits, psychological states, and family functioning have also been identified as important influences on internet addiction. Research also indicates that individuals with internet addiction often exhibit deficits in self-control domains and higher levels of impulsivity (Campbell et al., 2006 ; Ko et al., 2008 ). Several psychological conditions, such as depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety disorders, and autism spectrum disorders, have all been identified as predictors of internet addiction (Abdullahi, 1998 ; Dell’Osso et al., 2006 ; Kalke & Raschke, 2004 ; Pallanti et al., 2006 ). In addition, family-related risk factors influence the development of internet addiction (De Berardis et al., 2009 ). Although research on internet addiction has advanced in recent years, the academic community still lacks a comprehensive understanding of its etiological factors and underlying mechanisms (Fumero et al., 2018 ). Consequently, exploring the mechanisms of internet addiction holds significant importance. Relationship Between Self-efficacy and Internet Addiction Self-efficacy refers to individuals’ confidence in their ability to use their skills to accomplish specific tasks. It influences behavioral choices, motivational effort, cognitive processes, and emotional responses (Bandura, 1997). Numerous studies have examined the relationship between self-efficacy and internet addiction. Existing research suggests a significant negative correlation between self-efficacy and excessive internet use, with low self-efficacy associated with higher levels of internet addiction (Berte et al., 2021 ). Individuals with low self-efficacy may lack confidence in their abilities, which may limit the practice of social skills and communication. As a result, they may rely on online social interactions, which often feel less threatening. Aydm and San ( 2011 ) reported a significant negative correlation between social self-efficacy and internet addiction. Additionally, research indicates that reduced peer pressure and enhanced self-efficacy can decrease internet addiction (Esen & Gündoğdu, 2010 ). According to social cognitive theory, self-efficacy determines an individual's effort level, resilience to frustration, and emotional response under environmental stress when facing a specific task. When individuals perceive themselves as incapable of completing a task, they may adopt avoidance behaviors, opting instead for safe and low-risk online activities (Mesurado et al., 2018 ; Rodebaugh, 2006 ). Based on these findings, this study proposes Hypothesis H1: Self-efficacy is negatively associated with internet addiction. Mediating Role of Basic Psychological Needs BPNS theory posits that the fulfillment of basic psychological needs is essential for healthy physiological growth and development. According to this theory, humans possess three fundamental psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness (Ryan & Deci, 2000 ). Autonomy refers to an individual's ability to make decisions independently and act without external coercion. Competence reflects the sense of efficacy that individuals experience through interactions with their environment. Relatedness denotes the feeling of being cared for, valued, and connected with others. When these three fundamental psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) are satisfied, individuals tend to experience positive development and well-being. Conversely, when these needs are thwarted, individuals may exhibit negative development or functional impairment (Ryan & Deci, 2020 ). Research indicates that individuals whose fundamental psychological needs remain unmet in daily life tend to seek immediate compensatory fulfillment through online activities. This may lead to internet addiction (Hasbullah et al., 2024 ; Liu et al., 2021 ; Wong et al., 2015 ). Self-efficacy is closely associated with the fulfillment of basic physiological needs. A higher level of self-efficacy enhances the satisfaction of autonomy and competence needs (Kassis et al., 2019 ). In specific contexts, higher self-efficacy correlates with greater satisfaction of all three basic needs, such as competence, autonomy, and relatedness (Keller et al., 2024 ). In summary, strong self-efficacy promotes the fulfillment of basic psychological needs, which are key determinants of internet addiction. Based on this, the study proposes Hypothesis H2: Basic psychological needs mediate the relationship between self-efficacy and internet addiction. Mediating Role of Self-control Self-control, defined as the deliberate regulation of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, is crucial for personal achievement and well-being (De Ridder et al., 2012 ; Moffitt et al., 2011 ). Conversely, failure in self-control is a significant factor contributing to addictive behaviors (Kim et al., 2008 ; Lee & Shin, 2004 ). Internet addiction is considered a form of behavioral addiction characterized by an inability to control the urge to engage in online activities (Chou et al., 2005 ). Previous studies reveal that low self-control is positively associated with internet addiction (Li et al., 2014 ; Özdemir et al., 2014 ). Individuals with low self-control often exhibit greater impulsivity, which is a key predictor of internet addiction (Meerkerk et al., 2010 ). In addition, individuals with low self-control often give less consideration to the potential long-term negative consequences of their actions (Wiers et al., 2007 ). They also tend to seek immediate gratification (Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990 ), which makes them more susceptible to internet addiction (Slater, 2003 ). Self-depletion refers to the phenomenon in which prior self-control efforts reduce individuals’ capacity to exert self-control in subsequent tasks. (Muraven & Baumeister, 2000 ). Research indicates that self-depletion tasks reduce individuals' self-efficacy, which in turn mediates the effect of self-depletion on self-control (Chow et al., 2015 ). Furthermore, strong self-efficacy facilitates sustained engagement in work and enhances cognitive control. In summary, enhancing an individual's self-efficacy can prepare energy resources for self-depletion or counteract self-depletion. This process supports strengthened self-control and reduces tendencies toward internet addiction. Based on this, the study proposes Hypothesis H3: Self-control mediates the relationship between self-efficacy and internet addiction. Chain-Mediated Effect of Basic Psychological Needs and Self-control According to self-determination theory, the fulfillment of autonomy, competence, and relatedness needs constitutes a core prerequisite for sustaining and efficiently operating self-control resources. Research indicates that satisfying autonomy needs reduces resource depletion during self-control processes. Fulfilling competence and relatedness needs enhances psychological vitality and replenishes energy for self-control (Ryan & Deci, 2008 ). Basic psychological needs are crucial for the satisfaction of intrinsic motivation and the development of self-regulation. Self-control behaviors driven by intrinsic motivation tend to demonstrate greater persistence and efficiency (Deci & Ryan, 2013). Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying self-control may inherently contribute to broader self-regulation processes (Carver & Scheier, 1982 ). Self-efficacy reflects an individual's attitude toward real-world environments and challenges. It positively predicts life satisfaction and healthy lifestyles (Sheeran et al., 2016 ). Individuals with high self-efficacy are more inclined to proactively engage in self-selected activities. They also undertake tasks that match their capabilities to achieve a sense of competence. Furthermore, they tend to establish supportive social interactions and maintain a psychological state in which autonomy, competence, and relatedness needs are satisfied (Du & Zhang, 2022 ). The fulfillment of basic psychological needs can sustain self-control behaviors and replenish the energy required for self-control. It also helps individuals resist the temptation of instant gratification in the online environment and regulate their behavior. Based on this, the study proposes Hypothesis H4: Basic psychological needs and self-control exert a chain-mediated effect in the relationship between self-efficacy and internet addiction. Methods Participants This study employed convenience sampling and targeted university students from a higher education institution in Sichuan Province. To ensure the quality of questionnaire completion, three lie-detection questions were included (for example, “please select the third option for this item”). After excluding questionnaires with patterned responses or obviously random answers, 547 valid questionnaires were obtained. Among the participants, 119 were males (21.8%), and 428 were females (78.2%). In terms of their background, 275 students (50.3%) were from rural areas, and 272 students (49.7%) were from urban areas. The participants' ages ranged from 17 to 24 years, with an average age of 19.04 ± 1.262 years. All participants provided informed consent and completed the questionnaire independently. Measures General Self-efficacy Scale (GSES) The Chinese version of the scale, developed by Schwarzer et al. (Schwarzer et al., 1997 ) and revised by Wang et al. (Wang et al., 2001 ), consists of 10 items scored on a 4-point scale ranging from 1 to 4 (completely incorrect to correct). The total score is calculated by summing all items, with higher scores indicating greater self-efficacy. In this study, the Cronbach's α coefficient for the scale was 0.891. Basic Psychological Needs Scale The scale developed by Gagné (Gagné, 2003 ) and revised by Liu et al. (Liu et al., 2013 ) consists of 19 items (for instance, “I greatly enjoy interacting with people”). It employs a 7-point scoring system ranging from 1 to 7 (completely disagree to strongly agree). The scale comprises three dimensions: autonomy, relatedness, and competence needs. Reverse-scored items were first converted, followed by calculating the total score across all items. Higher total scores indicate greater fulfillment of basic psychological needs. In this study, the total Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.879, with dimension-specific Cronbach's α coefficients of 0.652, 0.792, and 0.698, respectively. Self-control Scale (SCS) The Chinese version of the self-control scale was originally developed by Tangney et al. (Tangney et al., 2018 ) and later revised by Tan and Guo (Tan & Guo, 2008 ). The scale consists of 19 items (for instance, “I can resist temptation well”). It is divided into five dimensions: impulse control, healthy habits, work focus, temptation resistance, and entertainment restraint. Scoring uses a 5-point scale, ranging from 1 to 5 (“strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”). Reverse-scored items were converted, and the total score was calculated across all items. A higher total score indicates stronger self-control. In this study, the Cronbach's α coefficient for the scale was 0.875. The dimension-specific Cronbach's α coefficients were 0.821, 0.564, 0.562, 0.605, and 0.532, respectively. Cyber Addiction Inventory (CIAS-R) The Chinese version developed by Chen (Chen, 2003) and revised by Bai and Fan (Bai & Fan2005) consists of 19 items (for example, “I have been told more than once that I spend too much time online”). The scale is divided into four dimensions: compulsive internet use and withdrawal symptoms, tolerance to internet addiction, interpersonal and health problems, and time management. A 4-point scoring system is used with scores ranging from 1 to 4 ( “strongly disagree” to “agree”). The total score is calculated across all items, with higher scores indicating more severe tendencies toward Internet addiction. In this study, the Cronbach's α coefficient for the scale was 0.912, while the coefficients for each dimension were 0.790, 0.716, 0.790, and 0.750, respectively. Research Procedures and Data Processing The questionnaire was administered via the Wenjuangxing online survey platform. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and common method bias tests were conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (version 26.0). The chain mediation effect was examined using Model 6 of the PROCESS version 4.2 macro developed by Hayes. Results Common Method Bias Test An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on all items using Harman's one-factor test. The results revealed 13 factors with eigenvalues greater than one. The first factor explained 23.08% of the total variance, which was significantly below the 40% critical threshold. These results indicate that no severe common method bias was present in this study. Descriptive Statistics and Correlation Analysis Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis for the primary variables in this study are presented in Table 1 . Correlation analysis revealed that the four variables (self-efficacy, internet addiction, self-control, and basic psychological needs) were significantly correlated with one another in pairwise comparisons ( p < 0.001).In addition, a significant positive correlation was found between gender and internet addiction ( p < 0.05). A significant negative correlation was also observed between place of residence and self-control ( p < 0.05). Table 1 Descriptive statistics and correlation matrix for each variable ( N = 547). Variables M SD 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1. Gender - - - 2. Place of residence - - –0.034 - 3. Age 19.040 1.262 0.106* -0.093* - 4. Self-efficacy 23.310 4.804 –0.049 –0.024 0.062 - 5. Basic psychological needs 87.640 12.937 0.024 –0.003 –0.057 0.550*** - 6. Self-control 60.610 10.606 –0.033 –0.091* 0.036 0.362*** 0.549*** - 7. Internet addiction 41.830 8.541 0.106* 0.001 0.032 –0.286*** –0.439*** –0.668*** - Note: * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001 Testing for Chain Mediating Effects Using the Bootstrapping method (sample size 5000, 95% confidence interval (CI); Model 6) was used to examine the chain-mediated effects of basic psychological needs and self-control. In this model, self-efficacy was specified as the independent variable, basic psychological needs and self-control as mediating variables, and internet addiction as the dependent variable. The total effect of self-efficacy on internet addiction was significant (β = − 0.286, p < 0.001). The regression models for basic psychological needs (R 2 = 0.302, F = 236.08, p < 0.001), self-control (R 2 = 0.307, F = 120.35, p < 0.001), and internet addiction (R 2 = 0.454, F = 150.62, p < 0.001) were all statistically significant, indicating a good model fit. Consistent with theoretical mechanisms and study design, the internet addiction model demonstrated good explanatory power. Both basic psychological needs and self-control emerged as key factors influencing internet addiction. Results of the chained mediation effect analysis are presented in Fig. 1 and Table 2 . Self-efficacy significantly and positively influenced basic psychological needs (β = 0.55, t = 15.36, p < 0.001). Basic psychological needs significantly and positively influenced self-control (β = 0.50, t = 11.75, p < 0.001). Self-control significantly and negatively influenced internet addiction (β = − 0.61, t = − 16.03, p < 0.001). However, self-efficacy exhibited no direct effect on internet addiction (β = − 0.01, t = − 0.30, p = 0.764). The mediating effect of basic psychological needs and self-control on the relationship between self-efficacy and internet addiction was − 0.2746. As displayed in Table 2 , the direct effect of self-efficacy on internet addiction was not significant (effect size = − 0.01, 95% CI [–0.15, 0.11]), leading to the rejection of hypothesis H1. The total indirect effect of basic psychological needs and self-control was significant (effect size = − 0.27, 95% CI [–0.34, − 0.20]). This indirect effect accounted for 96.0% of the total effect. Specifically, the independent mediating effect of basic psychological needs was significant (effect size = − 0.05, 95% CI [–0.10, − 0.01]), accounting for 18.7%, confirming Hypothesis H2. However, the independent mediating effect of self-control was not significant (effect size = − 0.05, 95% CI [–0.11, 0.00]), rejecting Hypothesis H3. Finally, the chained mediating effect of basic psychological needs followed by self-control was significant (effect size = − 0.17, 95% CI [–0.21, − 0.13], accounting for 58.9%), confirming Hypothesis H4. Table 2 Mediating effect estimates and confidence intervals. Mediating Pathways Indirect effect Bootstrap standard error 95% Confidence interval Relative mediation effect Total Mediating Effect –0.2746 0.0346 [–0.3434, − 0.2080] lnd1: Self-efficacy → Basic Psychological Needs → Internet Addiction –0.0536 0.0238 [–0.1003, − 0.0081] 19.52% lnd2: Self-efficacy → Self-control → Internet Addiction –0.0524 0.0274 [–0.1067, 0.0017] 19.08% lnd3: Self-efficacy → Basic Psychological Needs → Self-control → Internet Addiction –0.1685 0.0196 [–0.2068, − 0.1311] 61.36% Discussion Internet addiction among college students is closely linked to individual traits. Existing research on the influence of self-efficacy and internet addiction has focused on single mediating factors. This study introduces basic psychological needs and self-control. Guided by self-determination theory and the self-depletion model, this research refines the mechanism through which self-efficacy impacts internet addiction. Consequently, it provides a more systematic and coherent theoretical explanation. Influence of Self-efficacy on Individual Internet Addiction After incorporating basic psychological needs and self-control, this study found that self-efficacy no longer directly predicts internet addiction. Self-efficacy, as a belief in one’s own capabilities, does not directly alter an individual's internet usage behavior. Instead, it influences internet addiction by affecting internal emotions and behavioral regulation. This finding aligns with the perspective that cognitive resources support the fulfillment of psychological needs, thereby stimulating autonomous behavior. It also validates the proposed chained mediating mechanism involving basic psychological needs and self-control. Although the direct effect of self-efficacy on internet addiction was non-significant, the total effect remained significant, consistent with previous research. This indicates that self-efficacy remains a crucial factor influencing internet addiction. Individuals struggling with internet addiction often lack real-world emotional support or possess low self-worth (Xiao et al., 2025 ). Consequently, they may turn to the internet to obtain instant gratification that is difficult to achieve in the real world (Kwon et al., 2011 ). Without intervention, this may lead to more diverse addictive behaviors (Davis, 2001 ). Self-efficacy positively predicts subjective well-being (Fan et al., 2012 ) and negatively correlates with loneliness and depression (Wei et al., 2005 ). Individuals with greater self-efficacy tend to establish relationships with others and actively engage with their environment. They experience less social anxiety and tend to experience happiness. Self-efficacy influences individuals' perceptions, thoughts, and motivations, serving as a crucial determinant of behavior (Schunk & Pajares, 2002). Individuals with low self-efficacy tend to adopt negative coping strategies and engage in negative self-talk. In contrast, individuals with greater self-efficacy tend to employ positive, problem-focused coping strategies. They are better at managing their behaviors and emotional states (Schwarzer & Warner, 2013 ). As a core psychological resource, enhancing self-efficacy helps individuals establish the core belief that “I can achieve goals through effort” (Luthans et al., 2007 ). Self-efficacy helps individuals cope with stress, reduces resource depletion, and proactively acquires new resources, thereby facilitating environmental adaptation (Hobfoll, 1989 ). Consequently, enhancing self-efficacy can guide individuals toward fulfilling psychological needs through real-world channels rather than online activities (Kardefelt-Winther, 2014 ). This diminishes the motivation to escape into cyberspace for false compensation (Tian et al., 2014 ). Sustaining the fulfillment of basic psychological needs brings lasting satisfaction and mental well-being (Deci & Ryan, 2000 ). Furthermore, it provides a solid foundation for enhancing self-control and countering the impulse to use the internet (Li et al., 2021 ), which reduces escapist internet use. Chain Pathway of Basic Psychological Needs and Self-Control To explore the internal mechanisms through which self-efficacy influences internet addiction, this study draws upon self-determination theory. A review of existing research indicates that the fulfillment of basic psychological needs mediates the relationship between self-efficacy and internet addiction. Self-determination theory emphasizes that individuals possess an innate drive to satisfy three fundamental psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Fulfilling these needs is essential for psychological well-being and behavioral adaptation. Self-efficacy represents the core belief in one's capabilities. Insufficient self-efficacy impedes the fulfillment of these fundamental psychological needs (Chen et al., 2025 ). For instance, doubting one's abilities diminishes experiences of competence in real-world scenarios. Similarly, lack of social confidence weakens interpersonal connections, and insufficient courage for autonomous decision-making limits personal choice. Unmet fundamental psychological needs create a persistent state of psychological imbalance in real life (Milyavskaya & Koestner, 2011 ). Consequently, individuals may be driven by intrinsic motivation to use the internet excessively as a way to fill this void or alleviate psychological deprivation in reality (Gu et al., 2023 ). This study did not find self-control to be an independent mediator between self-efficacy and internet addiction. However, from the perspective of self-depletion theory, the depletion of self-control resources remains crucial for understanding the maintenance mechanisms of internet addiction. Moreover, the contrast between the non-significant independent mediation and the significant chain mediation path of basic psychological needs and self-control provides additional insight. This suggests that the fulfillment of basic psychological needs serves as a prerequisite for self-control. It may also replenish the psychological resources depleted by self-control. Insufficient self-efficacy diminishes an individual's confidence in tackling real-world challenges while intensifying negative evaluations of their capabilities. Individuals who persistently experience powerlessness and frustration are more susceptible to perceiving continuous depletion of self-control resources and diminished capacity for psychological regulation (Baumeister et al., 2018 ). Furthermore, low self-efficacy impedes the fulfillment of basic psychological needs in real life. This limitation further depletes reserves of self-control resources (Hu et al., 2025 ). This makes individuals less capable of resisting the immediate reward temptations of the online environment (Brand et al., 2019). Consequently, depleted self-control resources render individuals vulnerable to real-life stressors. As a result, they may use excessive internet as a temporary means to fill demand gaps, alleviate psychological deprivation, and prevent further depletion of self-control resources (Caplan, 2002 ). Previous research on self-efficacy and internet addiction focused on the influence of domain-specific self-efficacy on internet addiction and the role of single mediators. However, the psychological mechanisms through which general self-efficacy influences internet addiction remain underexplored. This study integrates self-determination theory and the self-depletion model. It broadens the research perspective by examining a chain-pathway mechanism under a unified theoretical framework. Individuals' situational experiences in real life influence the evaluations of their own capabilities. Based on these evaluations, individuals experience different levels of satisfaction with their basic psychological needs in real life. Satisfaction can provide psychological resources that support self-control. It may also reduce the consumption of psychological resources. Competence-related fulfillment enhances the efficiency of resource regeneration and strengthens positive self-evaluations of capability. It also reduces self-depletion caused by self-doubt and motivates proactive regulation, thereby improving self-control resource utilization. Relatedness-related fulfillment provides emotional buffering. These resources help mitigate the depletion of self-control resources caused by real-world pressures. The satisfaction of basic psychological needs enables individuals to develop stable and healthy self-control capabilities naturally without resorting to compensatory extreme behaviors (Froreich et al., 2017). Conversely, the frustration of these needs depletes this resource, which disrupts self-control and fails to inhibit impulses to use the internet excessively. Ultimately, this leads to internet addiction (Zhang et al., 2024 ). Conclusion This study examined the associations between self-efficacy, BPNS, self-control, and internet addiction. It provides valuable insights into the intrinsic psychological mechanisms underlying internet addiction. The findings revealed that BPNS and self-control exert a chain mediating effect in the relationship between self-efficacy and internet addiction. Specifically, self-efficacy was significantly and positively correlated with BPNS, which in turn was significantly and positively correlated with self-control. Self-control was significantly and negatively correlated with internet addiction. This suggests that enhancing self-efficacy to some extent can improve individuals’ BPNS, thereby strengthening their self-control capacity and reducing the likelihood of internet addiction. In this study, the total effect of self-efficacy on internet addiction was significant. However, its direct predictive effect was non-significant. This suggests that self-efficacy does not directly regulate internet addiction behaviors. Instead, it exerts an indirect influence through intrinsic psychological pathways. This supplements the understanding of the indirect nature of self-efficacy’s impact on internet addiction. The significant independent mediating effect of BPNS confirms that college students with strong self-efficacy tend to gain greater autonomy, competence, and interpersonal connection in real-life scenarios. Consequently, their basic psychological needs are fully satisfied, which later reduces their reliance on online substitutive compensation. Regarding the non-significant independent mediating effect of self-control, this may be attributed to the limited sensitivity of the measurement tool or the influence of other unobserved variables. Furthermore, the chain mediating effect of BPNS and self-control was significant, accounting for the highest proportion of the total effect. Combined with the non-significant independent effect of self-control, this suggests that BPNS is a precondition for self-control to function effectively. Self-efficacy enhances BPNS, thereby replenishing psychological resources for self-control. It strengthens individuals’ ability to resist the temptation of immediate online rewards and ultimately reduces the risk of internet addiction. Limitations and Implications This study has several limitations that require improvement in future research. First, as a cross-sectional study, it cannot establish causal relationships between variables. Future research could employ longitudinal studies and intervention experiments to validate the proposed mediation model. Second, all data were self-reported by adolescents. Although common method bias was not evident in this study, future research should collect data from multiple sources to better examine the relevant variables. Third, this study examines internet addiction from the perspective of individual traits. However, it is undeniable that ecological risk factors also significantly influence college students' internet addiction. Future research could delve deeper into the impact of social environmental factors on this issue, while simultaneously exploring interventions targeting both individual students and their external environment (Chung, S. et al., 2019). Declarations Ethical Review and Informed Consent This study was conducted in strict accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and relevant international ethical norms for academic publication. The studies involving human participants were reviewed and approved by the Mianyang Teachers' College Research Ethics Committee (MSL202603). The participants provided their oral informed consent to participate in this study. Consent for Publication Not applicable. Data Availability Due to ethical considerations and data privacy protection, the dataset used in this study is not publicly available. However, relevant data can be provided by the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Competing Interests The authors confirm that there are no competing interests. Funding This study was supported by the High-Level Talent Research Startup Project of Mianyang Teachers' College, Characteristics and Intervention Research on the Values of Chinese Youth ( QD2025A029/071). 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From Ego Depletion to Vitality: Theory and Findings Concerning the Facilitation of Energy Available to the Self. Soc Pers Psychol Compass. 2008;2(2):702–17. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-9004.2008.00098.x . Ryan RM, Deci EL. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation from a self-determination theory perspective: Definitions, theory, practices, and future directions. Contemp Educ Psychol. 2020;61:101860. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2020.101860 . Tan SH, Guo YY. Revision of the college students' self-control scale. Chin J Clin Psychol. 2008;5468–70. https://doi.org/10.16128/j.cnki.1005-3611.2008.05.022 . Schwarzer R, Born A, Iwawaki S, Lee Y-M, et al. The assessment of optimistic self-beliefs: Comparison of the Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, and Korean versions of the General Self-Efficacy scale. Psychologia: Int J Psychol Orient. 1997;40(1):1–13. Schwarzer R, Warner LM. (2013). Perceived self-efficacy and its relationship to resilience. In Resilience in children, adolescents, and adults: Translating research into practice. In S. Prince-Embury & D. H. Saklofske, editors, Resilience in Children, Adolescents, and Adults (pp. 139–150). Springer New York. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4939-3_10 Sheeran P, Maki A, Montanaro E, Avishai-Yitshak A, Bryan A, Klein WMP, Miles E, Rothman AJ. The impact of changing attitudes, norms, and self-efficacy on health-related intentions and behavior: A meta-analysis. Health Psychol. 2016;35(11):1178–88. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0000387 . Slater MD. Alienation, Aggression, and Sensation Seeking as Predictors of Adolescent Use of Violent Film, Computer, and Website Content. J Communication. 2003;53(1):105–21. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.2003.tb03008.x . Tangney JP, Boone AL, Baumeister RF. High self-control predicts good adjustment, less pathology, better grades, and interpersonal success. Self-Regulation and Self-Control. Routledge; 2018. Tan SH, Guo YY. Revision of the self-control scale for college students. Chin J Clin Psychol. 2008;5:468–70. https://doi.org/10.16128/j.cnki.1005-3611.2008.05.022 . Tian L, Chen H, Huebner ES. The longitudinal relationships between basic psychological needs satisfaction at school and school-related subjective well-being in adolescents. Soc Indic Res. 2014;119(1):353–72. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-013-0495-4 . Wang CK, Hu ZF, Liu Y. (2001). Reliability and validity of the general self-efficacy scale. Chin J Appl Psychol, (1), 37–40. Wei M, Russell DW, Zakalik RA. Adult attachment, social self-efficacy, self-disclosure, loneliness, and subsequent depression for freshman college students: A longitudinal study. J Couns Psychol. 2005;52(4):602–14. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.52.4.602 . Weinstein A, Lejoyeux M. Internet addiction or excessive internet use. Am J Drug Alcohol Abus. 2010;36(5):277–83. https://doi.org/10.3109/00952990.2010.491880 . Wiers RW, Bartholow BD, van den Wildenberg E, Thush C, Engels RCME, Sher KJ, Grenard J, Ames SL, Stacy AW. Automatic and controlled processes and the development of addictive behaviors in adolescents: A review and a model. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2007;86(2):263–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2006.09.021 . Wong TY, Yuen KSL, Li WO. (2015). A basic need theory approach to problematic Internet use and the mediating effect of psychological distress. Frontiers in Psychology , 5 . https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01562 Xiao Y, Meng Y, Brown TT, Keyes KM, Mann JJ. (n.d.). Addictive screen use trajectories and suicidal behaviors, suicidal ideation, and mental health in US youths . Retrieved December 14, 2025, from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2835481 Zhang Q, Zhang Q, Ran G, Liu Y. The association between child abuse and internet addiction: A three-level meta-analysis. Trauma Violence Abuse. 2024;25(3):2234–48. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380231209436 . 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9211081","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":617715247,"identity":"f0e65028-c03d-41a8-a50f-a75f13c7d32d","order_by":0,"name":"Yaokun Li","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Mianyang Normal University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Yaokun","middleName":"","lastName":"Li","suffix":""},{"id":617715248,"identity":"d5621518-ceae-4649-a8fa-8d2a08c24e50","order_by":1,"name":"Jing Lv","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Mianyang Normal University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Jing","middleName":"","lastName":"Lv","suffix":""},{"id":617715249,"identity":"00985c24-b884-435b-b679-f2c922476636","order_by":2,"name":"Li Pan","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAAt0lEQVRIiWNgGAWjYHACxgMJDMwM/MzMhx8QrQesRbKdLc2AeC0MQC0G53kUJIhSbs5+9sCBhznWiZsP8zAYMNTYRBPUYtmTl3AgcVu6sdlh3gMPGI6l5TYQ0mJwIMcAqOWwnNlhvgQDxobDRGg5/washce4mcdAgjgtN6C2GDATq8VyBtiWdGOJw8BATiDGL+b8OYYPf26zTuzvP3z4wYcaGyIchsJLIKQcU8soGAWjYBSMAmwAAKrbQZAKebf0AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Mianyang Normal University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Li","middleName":"","lastName":"Pan","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-03-24 11:11:41","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9211081/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9211081/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":106251822,"identity":"73cadd61-d340-4d03-aab1-3e3648b93c01","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-06 17:27:11","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":76984,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eChain-mediated pathway from basic psychological needs to self-control.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote: *\u003cem\u003ep \u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt; 0.05, **\u003cem\u003ep \u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt; 0.01, ***\u003cem\u003ep \u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt; 0.001\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9211081/v1/29659fc7ad03a73e8559cbf3.png"},{"id":109515970,"identity":"142795b9-0d21-407f-85fa-ebcaef6a4c7c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-05-19 05:26:00","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":325605,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9211081/v1/9b06be0b-04e3-4968-9d5d-88537ca39bbb.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy and Internet Addiction Among College Students: Mediating Role of Basic Psychological Needs and Self-Control","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eAs society evolves, the internet presents both development opportunities and numerous risks. Difficulty controlling impulsive online behavior or excessive internet use can result in \u0026ldquo;internet addiction\u0026rdquo; (Brand et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). Adolescents, specifically college students, represent a high-risk group for problematic internet use (Weinstein \u0026amp; Lejoyeux, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR63\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). Existing research reveals that internet addiction can significantly impair mental and physical health. Furthermore, it can strain interpersonal relationships, negatively affect academic performance, and contribute to prominent social issues. Despite recognizing the harm, individuals often struggle to stop addictive behaviors (Abdullahi, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1998\u003c/span\u003e; Czincz \u0026amp; Hechanova, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e). Factors such as personality traits, psychological states, and family functioning have also been identified as important influences on internet addiction. Research also indicates that individuals with internet addiction often exhibit deficits in self-control domains and higher levels of impulsivity (Campbell et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2006\u003c/span\u003e; Ko et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e). Several psychological conditions, such as depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety disorders, and autism spectrum disorders, have all been identified as predictors of internet addiction (Abdullahi, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1998\u003c/span\u003e; Dell\u0026rsquo;Osso et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2006\u003c/span\u003e; Kalke \u0026amp; Raschke, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2004\u003c/span\u003e; Pallanti et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR48\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2006\u003c/span\u003e). In addition, family-related risk factors influence the development of internet addiction (De Berardis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e). Although research on internet addiction has advanced in recent years, the academic community still lacks a comprehensive understanding of its etiological factors and underlying mechanisms (Fumero et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). Consequently, exploring the mechanisms of internet addiction holds significant importance.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRelationship Between Self-efficacy and Internet Addiction\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSelf-efficacy refers to individuals\u0026rsquo; confidence in their ability to use their skills to accomplish specific tasks. It influences behavioral choices, motivational effort, cognitive processes, and emotional responses (Bandura, 1997). Numerous studies have examined the relationship between self-efficacy and internet addiction. Existing research suggests a significant negative correlation between self-efficacy and excessive internet use, with low self-efficacy associated with higher levels of internet addiction (Berte et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Individuals with low self-efficacy may lack confidence in their abilities, which may limit the practice of social skills and communication. As a result, they may rely on online social interactions, which often feel less threatening. Aydm and San (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e) reported a significant negative correlation between social self-efficacy and internet addiction. Additionally, research indicates that reduced peer pressure and enhanced self-efficacy can decrease internet addiction (Esen \u0026amp; G\u0026uuml;ndoğdu, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). According to social cognitive theory, self-efficacy determines an individual's effort level, resilience to frustration, and emotional response under environmental stress when facing a specific task. When individuals perceive themselves as incapable of completing a task, they may adopt avoidance behaviors, opting instead for safe and low-risk online activities (Mesurado et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Rodebaugh, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR49\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2006\u003c/span\u003e). Based on these findings, this study proposes Hypothesis H1: Self-efficacy is negatively associated with internet addiction.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eMediating Role of Basic Psychological Needs\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBPNS theory posits that the fulfillment of basic psychological needs is essential for healthy physiological growth and development. According to this theory, humans possess three fundamental psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness (Ryan \u0026amp; Deci, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2000\u003c/span\u003e). Autonomy refers to an individual's ability to make decisions independently and act without external coercion. Competence reflects the sense of efficacy that individuals experience through interactions with their environment. Relatedness denotes the feeling of being cared for, valued, and connected with others. When these three fundamental psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) are satisfied, individuals tend to experience positive development and well-being. Conversely, when these needs are thwarted, individuals may exhibit negative development or functional impairment (Ryan \u0026amp; Deci, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR52\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). Research indicates that individuals whose fundamental psychological needs remain unmet in daily life tend to seek immediate compensatory fulfillment through online activities. This may lead to internet addiction (Hasbullah et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Liu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Wong et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR65\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). Self-efficacy is closely associated with the fulfillment of basic physiological needs. A higher level of self-efficacy enhances the satisfaction of autonomy and competence needs (Kassis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). In specific contexts, higher self-efficacy correlates with greater satisfaction of all three basic needs, such as competence, autonomy, and relatedness (Keller et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). In summary, strong self-efficacy promotes the fulfillment of basic psychological needs, which are key determinants of internet addiction. Based on this, the study proposes Hypothesis H2: Basic psychological needs mediate the relationship between self-efficacy and internet addiction.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMediating Role of Self-control\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSelf-control, defined as the deliberate regulation of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, is crucial for personal achievement and well-being (De Ridder et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e; Moffitt et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e). Conversely, failure in self-control is a significant factor contributing to addictive behaviors (Kim et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e; Lee \u0026amp; Shin, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2004\u003c/span\u003e). Internet addiction is considered a form of behavioral addiction characterized by an inability to control the urge to engage in online activities (Chou et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e). Previous studies reveal that low self-control is positively associated with internet addiction (Li et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; \u0026Ouml;zdemir et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR47\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e). Individuals with low self-control often exhibit greater impulsivity, which is a key predictor of internet addiction (Meerkerk et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). In addition, individuals with low self-control often give less consideration to the potential long-term negative consequences of their actions (Wiers et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR64\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e). They also tend to seek immediate gratification (Gottfredson \u0026amp; Hirschi, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1990\u003c/span\u003e), which makes them more susceptible to internet addiction (Slater, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR57\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2003\u003c/span\u003e). Self-depletion refers to the phenomenon in which prior self-control efforts reduce individuals\u0026rsquo; capacity to exert self-control in subsequent tasks. (Muraven \u0026amp; Baumeister, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR46\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2000\u003c/span\u003e). Research indicates that self-depletion tasks reduce individuals' self-efficacy, which in turn mediates the effect of self-depletion on self-control (Chow et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). Furthermore, strong self-efficacy facilitates sustained engagement in work and enhances cognitive control. In summary, enhancing an individual's self-efficacy can prepare energy resources for self-depletion or counteract self-depletion. This process supports strengthened self-control and reduces tendencies toward internet addiction. Based on this, the study proposes Hypothesis H3: Self-control mediates the relationship between self-efficacy and internet addiction.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eChain-Mediated Effect of Basic Psychological Needs and Self-control\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to self-determination theory, the fulfillment of autonomy, competence, and relatedness needs constitutes a core prerequisite for sustaining and efficiently operating self-control resources. Research indicates that satisfying autonomy needs reduces resource depletion during self-control processes. Fulfilling competence and relatedness needs enhances psychological vitality and replenishes energy for self-control (Ryan \u0026amp; Deci, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR51\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e). Basic psychological needs are crucial for the satisfaction of intrinsic motivation and the development of self-regulation. Self-control behaviors driven by intrinsic motivation tend to demonstrate greater persistence and efficiency (Deci \u0026amp; Ryan, 2013). Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying self-control may inherently contribute to broader self-regulation processes (Carver \u0026amp; Scheier, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1982\u003c/span\u003e). Self-efficacy reflects an individual's attitude toward real-world environments and challenges. It positively predicts life satisfaction and healthy lifestyles (Sheeran et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR56\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). Individuals with high self-efficacy are more inclined to proactively engage in self-selected activities. They also undertake tasks that match their capabilities to achieve a sense of competence. Furthermore, they tend to establish supportive social interactions and maintain a psychological state in which autonomy, competence, and relatedness needs are satisfied (Du \u0026amp; Zhang, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). The fulfillment of basic psychological needs can sustain self-control behaviors and replenish the energy required for self-control. It also helps individuals resist the temptation of instant gratification in the online environment and regulate their behavior. Based on this, the study proposes Hypothesis H4: Basic psychological needs and self-control exert a chain-mediated effect in the relationship between self-efficacy and internet addiction.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eParticipants\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThis study employed convenience sampling and targeted university students from a higher education institution in Sichuan Province. To ensure the quality of questionnaire completion, three lie-detection questions were included (for example, \u0026ldquo;please select the third option for this item\u0026rdquo;). After excluding questionnaires with patterned responses or obviously random answers, 547 valid questionnaires were obtained. Among the participants, 119 were males (21.8%), and 428 were females (78.2%). In terms of their background, 275 students (50.3%) were from rural areas, and 272 students (49.7%) were from urban areas. The participants\u0026apos; ages ranged from 17 to 24 years, with an average age of 19.04\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.262 years. All participants provided informed consent and completed the questionnaire independently.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eMeasures\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eGeneral Self-efficacy Scale (GSES)\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Chinese version of the scale, developed by Schwarzer et al. (Schwarzer et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR54\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1997\u003c/span\u003e) and revised by Wang et al. (Wang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR61\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2001\u003c/span\u003e), consists of 10 items scored on a 4-point scale ranging from 1 to 4 (completely incorrect to correct). The total score is calculated by summing all items, with higher scores indicating greater self-efficacy. In this study, the Cronbach\u0026apos;s \u0026alpha; coefficient for the scale was 0.891.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBasic Psychological Needs Scale\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scale developed by Gagn\u0026eacute; (Gagn\u0026eacute;, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2003\u003c/span\u003e) and revised by Liu et al. (Liu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e) consists of 19 items (for instance, \u0026ldquo;I greatly enjoy interacting with people\u0026rdquo;). It employs a 7-point scoring system ranging from 1 to 7 (completely disagree to strongly agree). The scale comprises three dimensions: autonomy, relatedness, and competence needs. Reverse-scored items were first converted, followed by calculating the total score across all items. Higher total scores indicate greater fulfillment of basic psychological needs. In this study, the total Cronbach\u0026apos;s \u0026alpha; coefficient was 0.879, with dimension-specific Cronbach\u0026apos;s \u0026alpha; coefficients of 0.652, 0.792, and 0.698, respectively.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eSelf-control Scale (SCS)\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Chinese version of the self-control scale was originally developed by Tangney et al. (Tangney et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR58\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e) and later revised by Tan and Guo (Tan \u0026amp; Guo, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR53\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e). The scale consists of 19 items (for instance, \u0026ldquo;I can resist temptation well\u0026rdquo;). It is divided into five dimensions: impulse control, healthy habits, work focus, temptation resistance, and entertainment restraint. Scoring uses a 5-point scale, ranging from 1 to 5 (\u0026ldquo;strongly disagree\u0026rdquo; to \u0026ldquo;strongly agree\u0026rdquo;). Reverse-scored items were converted, and the total score was calculated across all items. A higher total score indicates stronger self-control. In this study, the Cronbach\u0026apos;s \u0026alpha; coefficient for the scale was 0.875. The dimension-specific Cronbach\u0026apos;s \u0026alpha; coefficients were 0.821, 0.564, 0.562, 0.605, and 0.532, respectively.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eCyber Addiction Inventory (CIAS-R)\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Chinese version developed by Chen (Chen, 2003) and revised by Bai and Fan (Bai \u0026amp; Fan2005) consists of 19 items (for example, \u0026ldquo;I have been told more than once that I spend too much time online\u0026rdquo;). The scale is divided into four dimensions: compulsive internet use and withdrawal symptoms, tolerance to internet addiction, interpersonal and health problems, and time management. A 4-point scoring system is used with scores ranging from 1 to 4 ( \u0026ldquo;strongly disagree\u0026rdquo; to \u0026ldquo;agree\u0026rdquo;). The total score is calculated across all items, with higher scores indicating more severe tendencies toward Internet addiction. In this study, the Cronbach\u0026apos;s \u0026alpha; coefficient for the scale was 0.912, while the coefficients for each dimension were 0.790, 0.716, 0.790, and 0.750, respectively.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eResearch Procedures and Data Processing\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe questionnaire was administered via the Wenjuangxing online survey platform. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and common method bias tests were conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (version 26.0). The chain mediation effect was examined using Model 6 of the PROCESS version 4.2 macro developed by Hayes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eCommon Method Bias Test\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAn exploratory factor analysis was conducted on all items using Harman\u0026apos;s one-factor test. The results revealed 13 factors with eigenvalues greater than one. The first factor explained 23.08% of the total variance, which was significantly below the 40% critical threshold. These results indicate that no severe common method bias was present in this study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eDescriptive Statistics and Correlation Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDescriptive statistics and correlation analysis for the primary variables in this study are presented in Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e. Correlation analysis revealed that the four variables (self-efficacy, internet addiction, self-control, and basic psychological needs) were significantly correlated with one another in pairwise comparisons (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001).In addition, a significant positive correlation was found between gender and internet addiction (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). A significant negative correlation was also observed between place of residence and self-control (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05).\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\n \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDescriptive statistics and correlation matrix for each variable (\u003cem\u003eN\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;547).\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/caption\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eM\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSD\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1. Gender\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2. Place of residence\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;0.034\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3. Age\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19.040\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.262\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.106*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-0.093*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4. Self-efficacy\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23.310\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.804\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;0.049\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;0.024\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.062\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5. Basic psychological needs\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e87.640\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.937\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.024\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;0.003\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;0.057\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.550***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6. Self-control\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e60.610\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.606\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;0.033\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;0.091*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.036\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.362***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.549***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7. Internet addiction\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e41.830\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.541\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.106*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.032\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;0.286***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;0.439***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;0.668***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003ctfoot\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"10\"\u003eNote: *\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05, **\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01, ***\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tfoot\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec17\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eTesting for Chain Mediating Effects\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUsing the Bootstrapping method (sample size 5000, 95% confidence interval (CI); Model 6) was used to examine the chain-mediated effects of basic psychological needs and self-control. In this model, self-efficacy was specified as the independent variable, basic psychological needs and self-control as mediating variables, and internet addiction as the dependent variable. The total effect of self-efficacy on internet addiction was significant (\u0026beta; = \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.286, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001). The regression models for basic psychological needs (R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.302, \u003cem\u003eF\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;236.08, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001), self-control (R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.307, \u003cem\u003eF\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;120.35, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001), and internet addiction (R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.454, \u003cem\u003eF\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;150.62, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) were all statistically significant, indicating a good model fit. Consistent with theoretical mechanisms and study design, the internet addiction model demonstrated good explanatory power. Both basic psychological needs and self-control emerged as key factors influencing internet addiction. Results of the chained mediation effect analysis are presented in Fig. \u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e and Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e. Self-efficacy significantly and positively influenced basic psychological needs (\u0026beta;\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.55, \u003cem\u003et\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;15.36, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001). Basic psychological needs significantly and positively influenced self-control (\u0026beta;\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.50, \u003cem\u003et\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;11.75, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001). Self-control significantly and negatively influenced internet addiction (\u0026beta; = \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.61, \u003cem\u003et\u003c/em\u003e = \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;16.03, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001). However, self-efficacy exhibited no direct effect on internet addiction (\u0026beta; = \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.01, \u003cem\u003et\u003c/em\u003e = \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.30, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.764). The mediating effect of basic psychological needs and self-control on the relationship between self-efficacy and internet addiction was \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.2746. As displayed in Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e, the direct effect of self-efficacy on internet addiction was not significant (effect size = \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.01, 95% CI [\u0026ndash;0.15, 0.11]), leading to the rejection of hypothesis H1. The total indirect effect of basic psychological needs and self-control was significant (effect size = \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.27, 95% CI [\u0026ndash;0.34, \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.20]). This indirect effect accounted for 96.0% of the total effect. Specifically, the independent mediating effect of basic psychological needs was significant (effect size = \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.05, 95% CI [\u0026ndash;0.10, \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.01]), accounting for 18.7%, confirming Hypothesis H2. However, the independent mediating effect of self-control was not significant (effect size = \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.05, 95% CI [\u0026ndash;0.11, 0.00]), rejecting Hypothesis H3. Finally, the chained mediating effect of basic psychological needs followed by self-control was significant (effect size = \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.17, 95% CI [\u0026ndash;0.21, \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.13], accounting for 58.9%), confirming Hypothesis H4.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\n \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMediating effect estimates and confidence intervals.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/caption\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMediating Pathways\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIndirect effect\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBootstrap standard error\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e95% Confidence interval\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRelative mediation effect\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal Mediating Effect\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;0.2746\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0346\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e[\u0026ndash;0.3434, \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.2080]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003elnd1: Self-efficacy \u0026rarr; Basic Psychological Needs \u0026rarr; Internet Addiction\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;0.0536\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0238\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e[\u0026ndash;0.1003, \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.0081]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19.52%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003elnd2: Self-efficacy \u0026rarr; Self-control \u0026rarr; Internet Addiction\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;0.0524\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0274\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e[\u0026ndash;0.1067, 0.0017]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19.08%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003elnd3: Self-efficacy \u0026rarr; Basic Psychological Needs \u0026rarr; Self-control \u0026rarr; Internet Addiction\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;0.1685\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0196\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e[\u0026ndash;0.2068, \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.1311]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e61.36%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eInternet addiction among college students is closely linked to individual traits. Existing research on the influence of self-efficacy and internet addiction has focused on single mediating factors. This study introduces basic psychological needs and self-control. Guided by self-determination theory and the self-depletion model, this research refines the mechanism through which self-efficacy impacts internet addiction. Consequently, it provides a more systematic and coherent theoretical explanation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec19\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eInfluence of Self-efficacy on Individual Internet Addiction\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAfter incorporating basic psychological needs and self-control, this study found that self-efficacy no longer directly predicts internet addiction. Self-efficacy, as a belief in one\u0026rsquo;s own capabilities, does not directly alter an individual's internet usage behavior. Instead, it influences internet addiction by affecting internal emotions and behavioral regulation. This finding aligns with the perspective that cognitive resources support the fulfillment of psychological needs, thereby stimulating autonomous behavior. It also validates the proposed chained mediating mechanism involving basic psychological needs and self-control.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlthough the direct effect of self-efficacy on internet addiction was non-significant, the total effect remained significant, consistent with previous research. This indicates that self-efficacy remains a crucial factor influencing internet addiction. Individuals struggling with internet addiction often lack real-world emotional support or possess low self-worth (Xiao et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR66\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). Consequently, they may turn to the internet to obtain instant gratification that is difficult to achieve in the real world (Kwon et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e). Without intervention, this may lead to more diverse addictive behaviors (Davis, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2001\u003c/span\u003e). Self-efficacy positively predicts subjective well-being (Fan et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e) and negatively correlates with loneliness and depression (Wei et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR62\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e). Individuals with greater self-efficacy tend to establish relationships with others and actively engage with their environment. They experience less social anxiety and tend to experience happiness. Self-efficacy influences individuals' perceptions, thoughts, and motivations, serving as a crucial determinant of behavior (Schunk \u0026amp; Pajares, 2002). Individuals with low self-efficacy tend to adopt negative coping strategies and engage in negative self-talk. In contrast, individuals with greater self-efficacy tend to employ positive, problem-focused coping strategies. They are better at managing their behaviors and emotional states (Schwarzer \u0026amp; Warner, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR55\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e). As a core psychological resource, enhancing self-efficacy helps individuals establish the core belief that \u0026ldquo;I can achieve goals through effort\u0026rdquo; (Luthans et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e). Self-efficacy helps individuals cope with stress, reduces resource depletion, and proactively acquires new resources, thereby facilitating environmental adaptation (Hobfoll, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1989\u003c/span\u003e). Consequently, enhancing self-efficacy can guide individuals toward fulfilling psychological needs through real-world channels rather than online activities (Kardefelt-Winther, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e). This diminishes the motivation to escape into cyberspace for false compensation (Tian et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR60\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e). Sustaining the fulfillment of basic psychological needs brings lasting satisfaction and mental well-being (Deci \u0026amp; Ryan, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2000\u003c/span\u003e). Furthermore, it provides a solid foundation for enhancing self-control and countering the impulse to use the internet (Li et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e), which reduces escapist internet use.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec20\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eChain Pathway of Basic Psychological Needs and Self-Control\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo explore the internal mechanisms through which self-efficacy influences internet addiction, this study draws upon self-determination theory. A review of existing research indicates that the fulfillment of basic psychological needs mediates the relationship between self-efficacy and internet addiction. Self-determination theory emphasizes that individuals possess an innate drive to satisfy three fundamental psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Fulfilling these needs is essential for psychological well-being and behavioral adaptation. Self-efficacy represents the core belief in one's capabilities. Insufficient self-efficacy impedes the fulfillment of these fundamental psychological needs (Chen et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). For instance, doubting one's abilities diminishes experiences of competence in real-world scenarios. Similarly, lack of social confidence weakens interpersonal connections, and insufficient courage for autonomous decision-making limits personal choice. Unmet fundamental psychological needs create a persistent state of psychological imbalance in real life (Milyavskaya \u0026amp; Koestner, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR44\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e). Consequently, individuals may be driven by intrinsic motivation to use the internet excessively as a way to fill this void or alleviate psychological deprivation in reality (Gu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study did not find self-control to be an independent mediator between self-efficacy and internet addiction. However, from the perspective of self-depletion theory, the depletion of self-control resources remains crucial for understanding the maintenance mechanisms of internet addiction. Moreover, the contrast between the non-significant independent mediation and the significant chain mediation path of basic psychological needs and self-control provides additional insight. This suggests that the fulfillment of basic psychological needs serves as a prerequisite for self-control. It may also replenish the psychological resources depleted by self-control. Insufficient self-efficacy diminishes an individual's confidence in tackling real-world challenges while intensifying negative evaluations of their capabilities. Individuals who persistently experience powerlessness and frustration are more susceptible to perceiving continuous depletion of self-control resources and diminished capacity for psychological regulation (Baumeister et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). Furthermore, low self-efficacy impedes the fulfillment of basic psychological needs in real life. This limitation further depletes reserves of self-control resources (Hu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). This makes individuals less capable of resisting the immediate reward temptations of the online environment (Brand et al., 2019). Consequently, depleted self-control resources render individuals vulnerable to real-life stressors. As a result, they may use excessive internet as a temporary means to fill demand gaps, alleviate psychological deprivation, and prevent further depletion of self-control resources (Caplan, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2002\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrevious research on self-efficacy and internet addiction focused on the influence of domain-specific self-efficacy on internet addiction and the role of single mediators. However, the psychological mechanisms through which general self-efficacy influences internet addiction remain underexplored. This study integrates self-determination theory and the self-depletion model. It broadens the research perspective by examining a chain-pathway mechanism under a unified theoretical framework. Individuals' situational experiences in real life influence the evaluations of their own capabilities. Based on these evaluations, individuals experience different levels of satisfaction with their basic psychological needs in real life. Satisfaction can provide psychological resources that support self-control. It may also reduce the consumption of psychological resources. Competence-related fulfillment enhances the efficiency of resource regeneration and strengthens positive self-evaluations of capability. It also reduces self-depletion caused by self-doubt and motivates proactive regulation, thereby improving self-control resource utilization. Relatedness-related fulfillment provides emotional buffering. These resources help mitigate the depletion of self-control resources caused by real-world pressures. The satisfaction of basic psychological needs enables individuals to develop stable and healthy self-control capabilities naturally without resorting to compensatory extreme behaviors (Froreich et al., 2017). Conversely, the frustration of these needs depletes this resource, which disrupts self-control and fails to inhibit impulses to use the internet excessively. Ultimately, this leads to internet addiction (Zhang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR67\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study examined the associations between self-efficacy, BPNS, self-control, and internet addiction. It provides valuable insights into the intrinsic psychological mechanisms underlying internet addiction. The findings revealed that BPNS and self-control exert a chain mediating effect in the relationship between self-efficacy and internet addiction. Specifically, self-efficacy was significantly and positively correlated with BPNS, which in turn was significantly and positively correlated with self-control. Self-control was significantly and negatively correlated with internet addiction. This suggests that enhancing self-efficacy to some extent can improve individuals\u0026rsquo; BPNS, thereby strengthening their self-control capacity and reducing the likelihood of internet addiction.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn this study, the total effect of self-efficacy on internet addiction was significant. However, its direct predictive effect was non-significant. This suggests that self-efficacy does not directly regulate internet addiction behaviors. Instead, it exerts an indirect influence through intrinsic psychological pathways. This supplements the understanding of the indirect nature of self-efficacy\u0026rsquo;s impact on internet addiction.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe significant independent mediating effect of BPNS confirms that college students with strong self-efficacy tend to gain greater autonomy, competence, and interpersonal connection in real-life scenarios. Consequently, their basic psychological needs are fully satisfied, which later reduces their reliance on online substitutive compensation. Regarding the non-significant independent mediating effect of self-control, this may be attributed to the limited sensitivity of the measurement tool or the influence of other unobserved variables. Furthermore, the chain mediating effect of BPNS and self-control was significant, accounting for the highest proportion of the total effect. Combined with the non-significant independent effect of self-control, this suggests that BPNS is a precondition for self-control to function effectively. Self-efficacy enhances BPNS, thereby replenishing psychological resources for self-control. It strengthens individuals\u0026rsquo; ability to resist the temptation of immediate online rewards and ultimately reduces the risk of internet addiction.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec22\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eLimitations and Implications\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study has several limitations that require improvement in future research. First, as a cross-sectional study, it cannot establish causal relationships between variables. Future research could employ longitudinal studies and intervention experiments to validate the proposed mediation model. Second, all data were self-reported by adolescents. Although common method bias was not evident in this study, future research should collect data from multiple sources to better examine the relevant variables. Third, this study examines internet addiction from the perspective of individual traits. However, it is undeniable that ecological risk factors also significantly influence college students' internet addiction. Future research could delve deeper into the impact of social environmental factors on this issue, while simultaneously exploring interventions targeting both individual students and their external environment (Chung, S. et al., 2019).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthical Review and Informed Consent\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study was conducted in strict accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and relevant international ethical norms for academic publication.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe studies involving human participants were reviewed and approved by the Mianyang Teachers\u0026apos; College Research Ethics Committee (MSL202603). The participants provided their oral informed consent to participate in this study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for Publication\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData Availability\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDue to ethical considerations and data privacy protection, the dataset used in this study is not publicly available. However, relevant data can be provided by the corresponding author upon reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting Interests\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors confirm that there are no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study was supported by the High-Level Talent Research Startup Project of Mianyang Teachers\u0026apos; College, Characteristics and Intervention Research on the Values of Chinese Youth ( QD2025A029/071).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor Contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLYK and PL contributed to the research design, manuscript review, analysis report, and data analysis, and drafted the initial manuscript; LJ participated in the research design and data compilation; all authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe would like to express our gratitude to all participants for their valuable personal information, which has greatly facilitated the advancement of this study.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbdullahi A. 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Trauma Violence Abuse. 2024;25(3):2234\u0026ndash;48. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1177/15248380231209436\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1177/15248380231209436\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Self-efficacy, basic psychological needs, self-control, internet addiction, college students","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9211081/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9211081/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eInternet addiction among college students is closely associated with individual traits. Although previous studies have examined the impact of self-efficacy on Internet addiction, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigates how self-efficacy influences Internet addiction. Specifically, it examined the mediating roles of basic psychological needs and self-control in this relationship. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 547 college students in China. The results revealed the following: (1) Self-efficacy significantly and negatively predicted Internet addiction among college students. (2) Self-efficacy reduces Internet addiction both directly and indirectly by enhancing basic psychological needs. (3) There is a specific chain-mediated pathway: Self-efficacy increases basic psychological needs satisfaction (BPNS), which improves self-control. This improvement in self-control further reduces internet addiction. This chain-mediated pathway fully accounts for the indirect effect of self-efficacy on Internet addiction. Consequently, self-efficacy mitigates Internet addiction through indirect effects mediated by basic psychological needs and self-control.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy and Internet Addiction Among College Students: Mediating Role of Basic Psychological Needs and Self-Control","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-04-06 17:27:02","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9211081/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"42db043a-af3b-4f44-82e8-089fa19714bf","owner":[],"postedDate":"April 6th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[{"type":"decision","content":"Rejected","date":"2026-05-19T05:10:24+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-19T02:02:15+00:00","index":32,"fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"162863726180146999218087602159677268542","date":"2026-05-09T04:10:10+00:00","index":31,"fulltext":""}],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-19T05:25:45+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-04-06 17:27:02","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-9211081","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-9211081","identity":"rs-9211081","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}