The Mediating Role of Perceived Social Support in the Relationship between Social Competences with Virtual Social Networks Addiction in Students

Social networking is virtual areas where individuals can create their virtual profiles and make friends with common interests. With the integration of social media into individuals’ everyday lives, it has the potential to affect many parts of human behavior. The purpose of the present study was to investigate mediating role of perceived social support in the relationship between social competences with virtual social networks addiction in students. This was descriptive-correlation research. The statistical population was female students in Karaj in year 2023. A sample of 400 students were selected with convenience method. Data collection tools include the social networking addiction scale of Griffiths, social competence questionnaire of Gómez-Ortiz, et al. and social support scale of Zimet, et al. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and structural equations modeling. The results showed significant direct effect of social competence and social support on virtual social networks addiction. Also, the results showed that perceived social support had a mediating role in relationship between social competences with virtual social networks addiction. Based on the results of this research, it is suggested that the relationship between these variables should be taken into consideration in interventions to social networks addiction.