Secure Attachment and Mental Well-Being: Serial Mediation by Sense of Control and Problematic Internet Use

Abstract

Mental well-being is a positive construct that includes developmental and individual components and enables individuals to cope with the stresses of life. The aim of this study was to model the relationship between secure attachment style and mental well-being in terms of sense of control and problematic Internet use. Data were collected from 707 Turkish university students (M_age = 23.85, SD = 3.19, 481 females). Participants completed a web-based questionnaire. Results indicated positive associations between secure attachment and mental well-being. Also sense of control and problematic Internet use serially mediated the relationship between secure attachment and mental well-being. These findings suggest that interventions targeting attachment security and sense of control could mitigate problematic Internet use and enhance mental well-being. Limitations and future research suggestions are discussed.

Keywords

Secure attachment sense of control problematic Internet use mental well-being Turkish university students

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