The Relationship Between Family Cohesion and Adolescent Internet Addiction: The Chain Mediation Effects of Physical Activity and Prosocial Behavior

Abstract

This study explores the chain mediation effects of physical activity and prosocial behavior on the relationship between family intimacy and adolescent Internet addiction, providing insights for targeted interventions. A cross-sectional survey of 690 middle school students in Shandong Province, China, was conducted using validated scales: the Adolescent Physical Activity Questionnaire (APAQ), Internet Addiction Diagnostic Scale for Students (IADDS), Family Cohesion and Adaptability Scale (FACESII-CV), and Prosocial Tendencies Measure (PTM). Structural equation modeling (SEM) and the Bootstrap method were employed to test the chain mediation model.Results showed a significant negative association between family intimacy and Internet addiction (β = -0.18, p < 0.001), with indirect effects through physical activity and prosocial behavior accounting for 56.3% of the total effect. Physical activity mediated 19.9% (-0.082), prosocial behavior mediated 29.1% (-0.120), and the chain mediation pathway mediated 7.3% (-0.029) of the total effect. These findings highlight the interactive role of physical activity and prosocial behavior in mitigating Internet addiction.The study underscores how family intimacy indirectly reduces adolescent Internet addiction by promoting healthy behaviors and social interaction, aligning with ripple effect and psychological need compensation theories. This provides a theoretical foundation for multi-dimensional intervention strategies. Future research should adopt longitudinal and cross-cultural approaches to validate these findings.