Parenting styles and internet addiction in Chinese adolescents: Conscientiousness as a mediator and teacher support as a moderator

This study examined whether conscientiousness mediated and teacher support moderated the relation of parenting styles to Internet addiction in Chinese adolescents. Data were drawn from a cross-sectional study involving 1783 students aged 11–18 years from Henan, China. Structural equation modeling (SEM) indicated that parenting styles were indirectly related to Internet addiction through conscientiousness. Further, teacher support moderated the relationship between parental refusal and Internet addiction. Specifically, the positive association of parental refusal with Internet addiction was significant for adolescents with high teacher support, but not for those with low teacher support. Prevention and intervention strategies for teachers, parents, and parent educators were provided. •Parental refusal and overprotection were significantly positively associated with Internet addiction.•Parental warmth, conscientiousness, and teacher support were significantly negatively associated with Internet addiction.•Parenting styles were indirectly associated with Internet addiction through conscientiousness.•The effect of parental refusal on Internet addiction through conscientiousness differed as a function of teacher support.