Problematic social networking use and loneliness among college students: a serial mediation model of basic psychological need satisfaction and self-acceptance

Abstract

Introduction This study investigates the association between problematic social network use and loneliness among university students, framed by Self-Determination Theory. Methods A sample of 992 undergraduates (mean age = 20.31 years; 488 males, 49.2%; 504 females, 50.8%) from three universities in Zhejiang, a province in Southeast China, completed standardized measures. Serial mediation analysis using PROCESS Model 6 examined whether basic psychological need satisfaction and self-acceptance sequentially mediate this relationship. Results Results confirmed a positive direct link between problematic social network use and loneliness. Significant indirect effects emerged through need satisfaction (β = 0.133, 95% CI [0.104, 0.165]), self-acceptance (β = 0.045, 95% CI [0.024, 0.067]), and their serial pathway (β = 0.061, 95% CI [0.046, 0.078]), accounting for 26.28%, 8.89%, and 12.06% of the total association, respectively. All bootstrap confidence intervals excluded zero. Conclusion Problematic social network use appeared alongside diminished psychological need fulfillment, lower self-acceptance, and elevated loneliness. This pattern of co-occurrence describes how digital behaviors and mental health states are distributed across participants. Future research should test these pathways longitudinally and across diverse cultures. Practically, interventions targeting need satisfaction and self-acceptance rather than merely reducing screen time could more effectively mitigate loneliness in higher education settings.