The role of loneliness and self-concept clarity in the relationship between problematic mobile social network usage and social anxiety among college students.

Background: Previous studies demonstrated a correlation between problematic mobile social network usage and social anxiety among college students, but the mechanisms of the relationship have not been fully understood. Objective: The present study aims to examine the mediating role of loneliness and the moderating effect of self-concept clarity in the relationship between problematic mobile social network usage and social anxiety among college students. Methods: A total of 1,021 college students (mean age = 18.06, SD = 0.26) completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Interaction Anxiousness Scale, Problematic Mobile Social Network Usage Scale, and Self-concept Clarity Scale. Results: Results confirmed that problematic mobile social network usage significantly predicts social anxiety. Loneliness mediated this relationship, and self-concept clarity significantly moderated the mediation process. Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of addressing problematic mobile social network usage and loneliness in interventions aimed at reducing social anxiety among college students.