Volume 24, Issue 5 (7-2026)
TB 2026, 24(5): 35-49 |
Back to browse issues page
Ethics code: IR.PNU.REC.1403.439
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
esmaeili M, rasolli R. Investigating the Relationship Between Parental Bonding and Harmful Use of Cyberspace With The Mediating Role of Differentiation in Adolescents. TB 2026; 24 (5) :35-49
URL: http://tbj.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-3851-en.html
URL: http://tbj.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-3851-en.html
Payame Noor University , esmaeilimasomeh@ahoo.com
Full-Text [PDF 453 kb]
(7 Downloads)
| Abstract (HTML) (8 Views)
Full-Text: (1 Views)
Investigating the Relationship Between Parental Bonding and Harmful Use of Cyberspace With The Mediating Role of Differentiation in Adolescents
Masomeh Esmaeili(ph.D.)1, Razieh Rasouli Jaberi(M.Sc.)2
1.Corresponding Author: Assistant Professor, Department of psychology, Payame Noor University(PNU), Tehran, Iran Email:M.esmaeilii2022@pnu.ac.ir Tel:09384136942
2.Master's degreen in Educational psychology, Department of psychology, Payame Noor University(PNU), Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Considering the significant increase in the use of cyberspace among adolescents and the harms caused by it, investigating the factors related to this issue is of particular importance. Therefore, the present study was conducted to examine the relationship between parental bonding and harmful use of cyberspace with the mediating role of differentiation in adolescents.
Methods: This study was a correlational study based on modeling. The statistical population comprised all secondary high school students in Kharameh city during the academic year 2023-2024. A sample of 280 students was selected through cluster sampling. The tools used included the Parker Parental Bonding Questionnaire, the Calvo-Frances Harmful Use of Cyberspace Questionnaire, and the Skorn and Friedland Differentiation Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS version 24 software and path analysis.
Results: The results showed that overprotection had a significant negative relationship with differentiation (r=-0/640) and a significant positive relationship with harmful use of cyberspace (r=0/526). Care had a significant positive relationship with differentiation (r=0/461) and a significant negative relationship with harmful use of cyberspace (r=-0/447). Furthermore, the results indicated that the relationship between care: (ß=-0/10); overprotection: (ß=0/22) and harmful use of cyberspace use, mediated by differentiation, had a significant indirect effect (P< 0/05).
Conclusion: According to the research findings, it can be concluded that the quality of parental bonding, both directly and through the mediation of adolescent differentiation, affects the harmful use of cyberspace. Therefore, measures that help improve parental bonding (increasing balanced care and reducing excessive support) and strengthen adolescent differentiation can play an effective role in preventing cyberspace harms.
Keywords: Parental Bonding, cyberspace, Differentiation.
Conflict of interest: The authors declared no conflict of interest.
References
1-Lopez-Fernandez O, Kuss DJ. Preventing Harmful Internet Use-Related Addiction Problems in Europe: A Literature Review and Policy Options. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020;17(11):1-20.
2-Li J, Li S, Li H & et al. The relationship between attachment and problematic internet use: A multilevel meta-analysis. Developmental Review. 2024;73:101-146.
3-Chen M, Zhang X. Factors influencing internet addiction among university students: The mediating roles of self-control and anxiety. Acta Psychol (Amst). 2024;250:104535.
4-Arshad U, Ain FU, Gauntlett j & et al. A Systematic Review of the Evidence Supporting Mobile- and Internet-Based Psychological Interventions For Self-Harm. Suicide & life-threatening behavior. 2020;50(1):151-179.
5-Vincy Joseph Sr, Kotian S. A Systematic Review on the Role of Parental Bonding in Adolescent Psychosocial Development. International Journal of Management, Technology, and Social Sciences. 2022;7(2):2581-6012.
6-Tom A, Thomas B, Sharma M & et al. Parental rejection and control: Potential risks for excessive Internet usage among adolescents. The International journal of social psychiatry. 2023;69(8):2007-2017.
7-Guo Y, Chen H, You X & et al. Relationship between parenting style and internet addiction: Interpersonal relationship problem as a mediator and gender as a moderator. Heliyon. 2024,10(2):1-12.
8-Wang H, Li X, Lok GKI & et al. Family-based therapy for internet addiction among adolescents and young adults: A meta-analysis. J Behav Addict. 2024;13(2):295-312.
9-Asgari N, Mirhosseini MS. The Role of Family Cohesion in Internet Addiction and the Development of Alexithymia in Male Adolescent Users of Facebook and Twitter. Shahroud Journal of Medical Sciences. 2024;10(2):41-48.[Persian]
10-Boor Boor B, Khodabakhshi-Koolaee A, Falsafinejad MR. The Effect of the Parent-Child Relationship Enrichment Training Package With An Emphasis on the Internet Use: A Mixed Methods Approach. Journal of Practice in Clinical Psychology. 2021;9(3):199-210.[Persian]
11-Gong J, Zhou Y, Wang Y & et al. How parental smartphone addiction affects adolescent smartphone addiction: The effect of the parent-child relationship and parental bonding. Journal Affect Disord. 2022;15(307):271-277.
12-Koronczai B, Urbán R, Demetrovics Z. Parental bonding and problematic internet or social media use among adolescents. Psychiatr Hung. 2020;35(1):73-80.
13-Zhang S, Fang Z, Qi X & et al. Parental mediation and adolescent internet addiction: The role of parent-child relationship and parental internet addiction. Acta Psychol (Amst). 2025;259:105-316.
14-Hamedi Nasab S, Ayati M. The role of using virtual social networks in the professional development of English language teachers. Research in Educational Systems. 2019;13(45):127-140.[Persian]
15-Wang Z, Liu Q, Ding Z & et al. Family strains and online gains: Longitudinal relationship between harsh parenting and problematic internet use via relative deprivation and online basic psychological need satisfaction. Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace. 2025;19(5):1-21
16-Esmaili R, Mohammadi A, Haghighat S. Presenting a regression model of dependence on social networks based on differentiation and communication patterns in adolescents. Research in Educational Systems. 2023;17(61):46-56.[Persian]
17-Leung CH. A study of relationships among differentiation of self, interpersonal relationship, anxiety and internet addiction tendency among Hong Kong young people . 2020; Bachelor‘s thesis, Hong Kong Shue Yan University.
18-Wang P, Lei L. How does problematic smartphone use impair adolescent self-esteem? A moderated mediation analysis. Curr. Psychol. 2021;40:2910–2916.
19-Chan KT, Hui CL, Cheung C & et al. Exploring the Differentiation of Self-Concepts in the Physical and Virtual Worlds Using Euclidean Distance Analysis and Its Relationship With Digitalization and Mental Health Among Young People: Cross-Sectional Study. JMIR Ment Health. 2025;12:e60747.
20-Zhengyu W, Haiyan Z, Shuhui H & et al. Interpersonal adaptation on problematic mobile internet use among college students: the mediating role of fear of missing out and self-differentiation. Psychology, Health & Medicine. 2025;1–13.
21-Adilova M. The Psychological Effect of Traps In The Social Network on Youth Mind And Spirituality. Repository. 2023;4(2):500-505.
22-Mozas-Alonso M, Oliver J, Berástegui A. Differentiation of self and its relationship with marital satisfaction and parenting styles in a Spanish sample of adolescents’ parents. PLoS ONE. 2022;17(3):e0265436.
23-Liu C, Xiang J. The dynamic mechanisms of parental alienation and social adaptation in Chinese college students: the longitudinal mediating role of self-differentiation. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth.2025;30(1).
24-Aqaei A, Mousavi S M. The Relationship Between Attachment Styles with Self-differentiation, Cognitive Flexibility and Marital Intimacy in Students. Rooyesh. 2020;9(2):109-116.[Persian]
25-Hooshyari J, Akrami R. Predicting Parenting Style based on Differentiation with the Mediation of Emotional Processing. The First National Conference on Psychological Empowerment (with a focus on the family). Isfahan. 2024.[Persian]
26-Vismradi M, Khazaei A, Naeimi F & et al. Predicting Internet Addiction Based on Self-Differentiation and Negative Mood Regulation, Second National Conference on New Findings in Applied Psychology.2024 .[Persian]
27-Hatipoğlu A, Aldemir A, Gürel E. A Study on Phubbing, Differentiation of Self and Contribution in Adolescents. Journal Contemp Med. 2024;14(4):193-203.
28-Parker G, Tupling H, Brown LA. parental bonding instrument. Br Journal Med Psychol. 1979;52: 1-10.
29-Shayghian Z, Vafai MA, Rasoulzadeh T & et al. A study of schemas and parental bonding in adolescent girls with normal weight, obesity, or symptoms of anorexia nervosa. Pajoohandeh. 2011;16(1):30-38.[Persian]
30-Calvo-frances F. Abusive Use Questionnaire: Psychometric properties. Cumputers in Human Behavior. 2016;59:187-194.
31-Mottaghi S, Safaei, S .Investigating the psychometric indices of the Harmful Internet Use Questionnaire. Research in Psychological Health. 2017;11(2):92-102.[Persian]
32-Skowron E, Friedlander M. The Differentiation of Self Inventory: Development and initial validation. Journal of Counseling Psychology. 1998;45(3):235–246.
33-Younesi F. Normative Finding and Determining Psychometric Properties of the Self-Distinction Test in Individuals Aged 25-50. Master's Thesis, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran. 2006.[Persian]
34-Sarfika R, Zein GF, Andreni R & et al. Comparing parenting styles: their influence on adolescent’s internet addiction. HealthcLow-resour . 2024;12:1-6.
35-Işık E, Özbiler S, Schweer-Collins ML & et al. Differentiation of self predicts life satisfaction through marital adjustment. American Journal of Family Therapy. 2020;48(3):235–249.
Masomeh Esmaeili(ph.D.)1, Razieh Rasouli Jaberi(M.Sc.)2
1.Corresponding Author: Assistant Professor, Department of psychology, Payame Noor University(PNU), Tehran, Iran Email:M.esmaeilii2022@pnu.ac.ir Tel:09384136942
2.Master's degreen in Educational psychology, Department of psychology, Payame Noor University(PNU), Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Considering the significant increase in the use of cyberspace among adolescents and the harms caused by it, investigating the factors related to this issue is of particular importance. Therefore, the present study was conducted to examine the relationship between parental bonding and harmful use of cyberspace with the mediating role of differentiation in adolescents.
Methods: This study was a correlational study based on modeling. The statistical population comprised all secondary high school students in Kharameh city during the academic year 2023-2024. A sample of 280 students was selected through cluster sampling. The tools used included the Parker Parental Bonding Questionnaire, the Calvo-Frances Harmful Use of Cyberspace Questionnaire, and the Skorn and Friedland Differentiation Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS version 24 software and path analysis.
Results: The results showed that overprotection had a significant negative relationship with differentiation (r=-0/640) and a significant positive relationship with harmful use of cyberspace (r=0/526). Care had a significant positive relationship with differentiation (r=0/461) and a significant negative relationship with harmful use of cyberspace (r=-0/447). Furthermore, the results indicated that the relationship between care: (ß=-0/10); overprotection: (ß=0/22) and harmful use of cyberspace use, mediated by differentiation, had a significant indirect effect (P< 0/05).
Conclusion: According to the research findings, it can be concluded that the quality of parental bonding, both directly and through the mediation of adolescent differentiation, affects the harmful use of cyberspace. Therefore, measures that help improve parental bonding (increasing balanced care and reducing excessive support) and strengthen adolescent differentiation can play an effective role in preventing cyberspace harms.
Keywords: Parental Bonding, cyberspace, Differentiation.
Conflict of interest: The authors declared no conflict of interest.
References
1-Lopez-Fernandez O, Kuss DJ. Preventing Harmful Internet Use-Related Addiction Problems in Europe: A Literature Review and Policy Options. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020;17(11):1-20.
2-Li J, Li S, Li H & et al. The relationship between attachment and problematic internet use: A multilevel meta-analysis. Developmental Review. 2024;73:101-146.
3-Chen M, Zhang X. Factors influencing internet addiction among university students: The mediating roles of self-control and anxiety. Acta Psychol (Amst). 2024;250:104535.
4-Arshad U, Ain FU, Gauntlett j & et al. A Systematic Review of the Evidence Supporting Mobile- and Internet-Based Psychological Interventions For Self-Harm. Suicide & life-threatening behavior. 2020;50(1):151-179.
5-Vincy Joseph Sr, Kotian S. A Systematic Review on the Role of Parental Bonding in Adolescent Psychosocial Development. International Journal of Management, Technology, and Social Sciences. 2022;7(2):2581-6012.
6-Tom A, Thomas B, Sharma M & et al. Parental rejection and control: Potential risks for excessive Internet usage among adolescents. The International journal of social psychiatry. 2023;69(8):2007-2017.
7-Guo Y, Chen H, You X & et al. Relationship between parenting style and internet addiction: Interpersonal relationship problem as a mediator and gender as a moderator. Heliyon. 2024,10(2):1-12.
8-Wang H, Li X, Lok GKI & et al. Family-based therapy for internet addiction among adolescents and young adults: A meta-analysis. J Behav Addict. 2024;13(2):295-312.
9-Asgari N, Mirhosseini MS. The Role of Family Cohesion in Internet Addiction and the Development of Alexithymia in Male Adolescent Users of Facebook and Twitter. Shahroud Journal of Medical Sciences. 2024;10(2):41-48.[Persian]
10-Boor Boor B, Khodabakhshi-Koolaee A, Falsafinejad MR. The Effect of the Parent-Child Relationship Enrichment Training Package With An Emphasis on the Internet Use: A Mixed Methods Approach. Journal of Practice in Clinical Psychology. 2021;9(3):199-210.[Persian]
11-Gong J, Zhou Y, Wang Y & et al. How parental smartphone addiction affects adolescent smartphone addiction: The effect of the parent-child relationship and parental bonding. Journal Affect Disord. 2022;15(307):271-277.
12-Koronczai B, Urbán R, Demetrovics Z. Parental bonding and problematic internet or social media use among adolescents. Psychiatr Hung. 2020;35(1):73-80.
13-Zhang S, Fang Z, Qi X & et al. Parental mediation and adolescent internet addiction: The role of parent-child relationship and parental internet addiction. Acta Psychol (Amst). 2025;259:105-316.
14-Hamedi Nasab S, Ayati M. The role of using virtual social networks in the professional development of English language teachers. Research in Educational Systems. 2019;13(45):127-140.[Persian]
15-Wang Z, Liu Q, Ding Z & et al. Family strains and online gains: Longitudinal relationship between harsh parenting and problematic internet use via relative deprivation and online basic psychological need satisfaction. Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace. 2025;19(5):1-21
16-Esmaili R, Mohammadi A, Haghighat S. Presenting a regression model of dependence on social networks based on differentiation and communication patterns in adolescents. Research in Educational Systems. 2023;17(61):46-56.[Persian]
17-Leung CH. A study of relationships among differentiation of self, interpersonal relationship, anxiety and internet addiction tendency among Hong Kong young people . 2020; Bachelor‘s thesis, Hong Kong Shue Yan University.
18-Wang P, Lei L. How does problematic smartphone use impair adolescent self-esteem? A moderated mediation analysis. Curr. Psychol. 2021;40:2910–2916.
19-Chan KT, Hui CL, Cheung C & et al. Exploring the Differentiation of Self-Concepts in the Physical and Virtual Worlds Using Euclidean Distance Analysis and Its Relationship With Digitalization and Mental Health Among Young People: Cross-Sectional Study. JMIR Ment Health. 2025;12:e60747.
20-Zhengyu W, Haiyan Z, Shuhui H & et al. Interpersonal adaptation on problematic mobile internet use among college students: the mediating role of fear of missing out and self-differentiation. Psychology, Health & Medicine. 2025;1–13.
21-Adilova M. The Psychological Effect of Traps In The Social Network on Youth Mind And Spirituality. Repository. 2023;4(2):500-505.
22-Mozas-Alonso M, Oliver J, Berástegui A. Differentiation of self and its relationship with marital satisfaction and parenting styles in a Spanish sample of adolescents’ parents. PLoS ONE. 2022;17(3):e0265436.
23-Liu C, Xiang J. The dynamic mechanisms of parental alienation and social adaptation in Chinese college students: the longitudinal mediating role of self-differentiation. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth.2025;30(1).
24-Aqaei A, Mousavi S M. The Relationship Between Attachment Styles with Self-differentiation, Cognitive Flexibility and Marital Intimacy in Students. Rooyesh. 2020;9(2):109-116.[Persian]
25-Hooshyari J, Akrami R. Predicting Parenting Style based on Differentiation with the Mediation of Emotional Processing. The First National Conference on Psychological Empowerment (with a focus on the family). Isfahan. 2024.[Persian]
26-Vismradi M, Khazaei A, Naeimi F & et al. Predicting Internet Addiction Based on Self-Differentiation and Negative Mood Regulation, Second National Conference on New Findings in Applied Psychology.2024 .[Persian]
27-Hatipoğlu A, Aldemir A, Gürel E. A Study on Phubbing, Differentiation of Self and Contribution in Adolescents. Journal Contemp Med. 2024;14(4):193-203.
28-Parker G, Tupling H, Brown LA. parental bonding instrument. Br Journal Med Psychol. 1979;52: 1-10.
29-Shayghian Z, Vafai MA, Rasoulzadeh T & et al. A study of schemas and parental bonding in adolescent girls with normal weight, obesity, or symptoms of anorexia nervosa. Pajoohandeh. 2011;16(1):30-38.[Persian]
30-Calvo-frances F. Abusive Use Questionnaire: Psychometric properties. Cumputers in Human Behavior. 2016;59:187-194.
31-Mottaghi S, Safaei, S .Investigating the psychometric indices of the Harmful Internet Use Questionnaire. Research in Psychological Health. 2017;11(2):92-102.[Persian]
32-Skowron E, Friedlander M. The Differentiation of Self Inventory: Development and initial validation. Journal of Counseling Psychology. 1998;45(3):235–246.
33-Younesi F. Normative Finding and Determining Psychometric Properties of the Self-Distinction Test in Individuals Aged 25-50. Master's Thesis, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran. 2006.[Persian]
34-Sarfika R, Zein GF, Andreni R & et al. Comparing parenting styles: their influence on adolescent’s internet addiction. HealthcLow-resour . 2024;12:1-6.
35-Işık E, Özbiler S, Schweer-Collins ML & et al. Differentiation of self predicts life satisfaction through marital adjustment. American Journal of Family Therapy. 2020;48(3):235–249.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Psychology
Received: 2025/07/6 | Accepted: 2025/08/28 | Published: 2025/11/19
Received: 2025/07/6 | Accepted: 2025/08/28 | Published: 2025/11/19
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
