Fluid self-worth: The compensatory role of online social interaction

Abstract The self-worth orientation theory hypothesizes that self-worth is the ultimate reason for people's behavior. Adolescents are prone to problematic Internet use (PIU) when they obtain compensatory self-worth in online social interaction. Academic performance is highly valued in China. Compared with excellent academic performance, those with poor academic performance would be low in self-worth and thus more susceptible to compensation through online social support. However, the academic performance range of high school students was smaller than that of primary and middle schools students, who have universal education. Thus, the age cohort may moderate the moderating effect of academic performance on the relationship between POSI and PIU. Eight hundred and forty-four Chinese student-parent dyads were recruited to examine this hypothesis. The results supported this hypothesis, and these findings further support the hypotheses of the self-worth orientation theory. The practical implications and limitations of the study were discussed.