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. 2025 May 6;13(1):477.
doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-02785-y.

The relationship between physical activity and social network site addiction among adolescents: the chain mediating role of anxiety and ego-depletion

Jiale Wang  1 , Ting Xiao  1 , Yang Liu  2 , Zhenhua Guo  1 , Zhenxiu Yi  3
Affiliations

The relationship between physical activity and social network site addiction among adolescents: the chain mediating role of anxiety and ego-depletion

Jiale Wang et al. BMC Psychol. .

Abstract

Background and objectives: Physical activity is associated with social network site addiction in adolescents, yet the mechanisms remain unclear. This study examines whether anxiety and ego-depletion mediate this relationship.

Methods: A survey was conducted among 1,174 Chinese adolescents (614 boys, 560 girls; mean age = 12.59, SD = 1.13). Physical activity was assessed with a single item on moderate-to-vigorous exercise in the past 7 days. Social network site addiction, anxiety, and ego-depletion were measured using validated self-report questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and a chained mediation model were employed.

Results: Physical activity was negatively correlated with social network site addiction (r = -0.165, p < 0.001), anxiety (r = -0.121, p < 0.001), and ego-depletion (r = -0.119, p < 0.001). Anxiety was positively correlated with ego-depletion (r = 0.574, p < 0.001) and social network site addiction (r = 0.388, p < 0.001). Ego-depletion was positively associated with social network site addiction (r = 0.456, p < 0.001). Anxiety and ego-depletion sequentially mediated the relationship between physical activity and social network site addiction.

Conclusion: This study clarifies the psychological mechanisms linking physical activity and social network site addiction in adolescents, identifying anxiety and ego-depletion as key mediators. The findings emphasize the need to target these factors for more effective interventions.

Keywords: Adolescents; Anxiety; Ego-depletion; Physical activity; Social network site addiction.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study was approved by the Biomedicine Ethics Committee of Jishou University before the initiation of the project (Grant number: JSDX-2024-0086). And informed consent was obtained from the participants and their guardians before starting the program. We confirm that all the experiment is in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations such as the declaration of Helsinki. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Hypothesized a mediation model
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Chain mediation model diagram
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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