Psychosocial Determinants of Interpersonal Difficulties among Adolescents: The Mediating Roles of Mindfulness, Emotion Dysregulation, Distress Tolerance, and Interpersonal Effectiveness

Abstract

The present study examined psychosocial determinants of interpersonal difficulties among adolescents, with particular focus on family dynamics and problematic and risky use of internet. It also investigated the mediating roles of mindfulness, emotional dysregulation, distress tolerance, and relationship-related interpersonal effectiveness. A quantitative cross-sectional correlational research design was used. The sample consisted of 700 adolescents selected from colleges in Faisalabad and surrounding areas through purposive sampling. Data were collected using the Interpersonal Difficulties Scale, Family Dynamics Scale, Problematic and Risky Use of Internet Scale, Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale–Revised, Brief Emotional Dysregulation Scale, Distress Tolerance Scale, Relationship Scale Questionnaire, and a demographic sheet. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 29 and AMOS 29. Results showed that interpersonal difficulties were negatively associated with family dynamics and positively associated with problematic and risky internet use, emotional dysregulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and relationship functioning. Family dynamics also negatively predicted problematic and risky internet use. Mediation analysis showed that emotional dysregulation and distress tolerance were significant indirect pathways between family dynamics and interpersonal difficulties.