DOI: 10.57127/kpd.26024438.1863102 ISSN: 2602-4438

The relationships among digital addiction, family relationships, and empathy in 9- to 11-year-olds: A moderated mediation model

Tolga Seki, Zeliha Traş, Neslihan Öztürk
Show PDF Cite
The quality of family relationships during childhood is one of the key factors that can influence children’s patterns of digital media use and social-emotional characteristics such as empathy. The aim of this study was to examine the mediating role of digital addiction in the relationship between family relationships and empathic tendencies in children aged 9–11, and the moderating effect of gender on this relationship. The study involved 505 students aged 9–11 (241 girls, 264 boys). The Family Relationships Scale, the Digital Addiction Scale, and the Empathic Tendency Scale were administered. Pearson correlation analysis and moderated mediation analysis using SPSS PROCESS Macro (Model 7) were performed. Correlations indicated that discouraging family relationships were positively associated with digital addiction (r = .44, p < .01) and negatively associated with empathic tendencies (r = -.31, p < .01). Supportive family relationships, on the other hand, were found to be negatively associated with digital addiction (r = -.46, p < .01) and positively associated with empathic tendencies (r = .39, p < .01). In the moderated mediation analysis, the mediating role of digital addiction in the effect of discouraging family relationships on empathic tendencies was significant; the indirect effect varied in magnitude for girls (β = -.197, 95% CI [-.287, -.103]) and boys (β = -.437, 95% CI [-.565, -.323]). Similarly, the mediating role of digital addiction in the effect of supportive family relationships on empathic tendencies was significant, and this effect was similar in magnitude for girls (β = .363, 95% CI [.266, .487]) and boys (β = .361, 95% CI [.261, .491]) and did not significantly differ by gender. The findings suggest that family-based regulation of digital media use and interventions that strengthen parent–child interaction may be clinically important in supporting empathy; particularly, boys may be at higher risk in the context of discouraging family relationships.

More from our Archive