The Relationship between Problematic Use of Social Networks and Dark Personality Traits with Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation in Adult Instagram Users in Tehran

Background and Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between problematic use of social networks and dark personality traits with mediating role of emotion regulation in adult Instagram users in Tehran. Methods: The research method was descriptive-correlational and with structural equation approach. The statistical population of the study was all adult Instagram users (۱۸-۸۰ years) in Tehran in ۲۰۲۲. The sample size was ۳۰۶ people who were selected by available sampling method. The research questionnaires were Khajeh Ahmadi & et al. (۲۰۱۶), Jenison & Webster (۲۰۱۰), Gratz and Romer emotional regulation (۲۰۰۴), and Neff compassion questionnaire (۲۰۰۳). Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the findings. Results: Based on the analysis of the findings, it was found that the structural model of the research has an acceptable fit with the collected data. Also, problematic use of social networks in adult Instagram users has a positive and significant relationship with dark personality traits. Emotion regulation was positively and significantly associated with dark personality traits. Also, problematic use of social networks has a positive and significant relationship with emotion regulation. Emotion regulation mediates the relationship between problematic use of social networks and dark personality traits in a positive and meaningful way, so it can be concluded that emotion regulation is two important components in predicting problematic use of Instagram users.Background and Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between problematic use of social networks and dark personality traits with mediating role of emotion regulation in adult Instagram users in Tehran. Methods: The research method was descriptive-correlational and with structural equation approach. The statistical population of the study was all adult Instagram users (۱۸-۸۰ years) in Tehran in ۲۰۲۲. The sample size was ۳۰۶ people who were selected by available sampling method. The research questionnaires were Khajeh Ahmadi & et al. (۲۰۱۶), Jenison & Webster (۲۰۱۰), Gratz and Romer emotional regulation (۲۰۰۴), and Neff compassion questionnaire (۲۰۰۳). Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the findings. Results: Based on the analysis of the findings, it was found that the structural model of the research has an acceptable fit with the collected data. Also, problematic use of social networks in adult Instagram users has a positive and significant relationship with dark personality traits. Emotion regulation was positively and significantly associated with dark personality traits. Also, problematic use of social networks has a positive and significant relationship with emotion regulation. Emotion regulation mediates the relationship between problematic use of social networks and dark personality traits in a positive and meaningful way, so it can be concluded that emotion regulation is two important components in predicting problematic use of Instagram users.