Breaking the Cycle: How Core Self-Evaluation Shapes Cyber-Relationship Addiction.

Although cyber-relationship addiction among deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) college students has become a problem that needs urgent attention, few studies have examined the effects of core self-evaluation on cyber-relationship addiction and its underlying mediating mechanisms in this population. Drawing from the person-affect-cognition-execution model for addictive behaviors, this study aimed to explore the mediating role of anxiety and online self-disclosure in the relationship between core self-evaluation and cyber-relationship addiction among DHH college students. A total of 355 DHH college students participated in this study and completed a survey assessing core self-evaluation, anxiety, online self-disclosure, and cyber-relationship addiction. Results indicated that positive core self-evaluation among DHH college students was associated with a lower risk of cyber-relationship addiction. Additionally, anxiety and online self-disclosure played a serial mediating role in this relationship. These findings contribute to identifying effective intervention strategies to mitigate cyber-relationship addiction among DHH college students.