# The Effect of Parental Psychological Control on Real-Life Social Avoidance in College Students: A Moderated Chain Mediation Model

## TL;DR

This study explores how parental control affects college students' social avoidance through psychological needs and smartphone use, with sensitivity to others playing a moderating role.

## Contribution

The study introduces a moderated chain mediation model linking parental psychological control to social avoidance via psychological needs and smartphone use.

## Key findings

- Parental psychological control is positively linked to college students' social avoidance behavior.
- Basic psychological needs and problematic smartphone use mediate the relationship between parental control and social avoidance.
- Interpersonal sensitivity moderates the effect of parental control on psychological needs.

## Abstract

This study examined the associations between parental psychological control and real-life social avoidance among college students, focusing on the chain mediating roles of basic psychological needs and problematic smartphone use, as well as the moderating role of interpersonal sensitivity. A total of 1879 college students participated in the study. The results revealed that parental psychological control is positively associated with college students’ social avoidance behavior. Furthermore, basic psychological needs and problematic smartphone use played significant sequential mediating roles in this association. Moreover, a sequential mediation pathway was found through basic psychological needs and problematic smartphone use. Additionally, interpersonal sensitivity was identified as a significant moderator, moderating the strength of the association between parental psychological control, and basic psychological needs. These findings provide important evidence for understanding the correlational mechanisms associated with real-life social avoidance among college students and offer practical insights for the development of intervention strategies.