Trait self-control mediates the relationship between adolescents’ Internet altruistic behavior and subjective well-being

We investigated the mediating effect of trait self-control in the relationship between Internet altruistic behavior (IAB) and subjective well-being (SWB) in Chinese adolescents. Participants were 179 boys and 236 girls ( N = 415), who completed the Internet Altruistic Behavior Scale, the Chinese Self-Control Scale, and the Index of Well-Being in one sitting. The correlation analysis results reveal that IAB had a positive correlation with trait self-control and SWB, trait self-control was positively correlated with SWB, and the combined effect of IAB and trait self-control positively affected SWB. Additionally, IAB had an indirect positive effect on SWB via trait self-control, which indicates that trait self-control partially mediated the relationship between IAB and SWB. These results offer insight into the underlying mechanisms of how IAB may promote SWB in adolescents.