Clinical Psychology and Personality

Clinical Psychology and Personality

Predicting Social Network Addiction Based on Personality Traits: The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mahshad Tasnimi 1
Solmaz Dabiri 2
Seyed Ali Hosseini Almadani 3
1 PhD Candidate of Psychology, Department of Psychology, NT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Psychology, NT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, NT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22070/cpap.2025.20133.1672
Abstract
Introduction: Social network addiction is increasingly prevalent among university students, affecting their academic performance and mental well-being. The aim of this study was to predict social network addiction based on personality traits with the mediating role of self-esteem among university students.

Method: This study employed a descriptive correlational research design, emphasizing path Analysis. The statistical population consisted of students from the Islamic Azad University. A multistage cluster random sampling method was used, resulting in a sample size of 439 participants. Data were collected using the Mobile-Based Social Network Addiction Questionnaire (Khajeh Ahmadi et al., 2016), the NEO Five-Factor Inventory-Short Form (Costa & McCrae, 1989), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Questionnaire (1965). Path analysis was employed for data analysis, and data were processed using SPSS and AMOS software.

Results: The findings revealed that personality traits were associated with social network addiction both directly and indirectly through the mediating role of self-esteem. Self-esteem negatively mediated the relationship between extraversion, agreeableness, openness to experience, and conscientiousness and social media addiction, while positively mediating the relationship between neuroticism and social media addiction. Furthermore, self-esteem directly and negatively predicted social media addiction.

Discussion and conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of self-esteem in reducing social media overuse. Strengthening self-esteem and promoting responsible digital habits such as social network management strategy may help mitigate social network addiction among students.
Keywords
Social networks
addiction
personality traits
self-esteem
path analysis
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