Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between perceived parental conflict and online romantic relationships among female adolescents
Methods: This research employed a descriptive-correlational design based on structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population included all female adolescents in Bandar Lengeh, Iran, during the 2025–2026 academic year. A sample of 300 students was selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using the Children's Perception of Interparental Conflict Scale (CPIC; Grych et al., 1992), the Online Romantic Relationship Questionnaire (Barghi Irani & Aziz, 2015), and the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Russell et al., 1978). Data analysis was performed using SPSS-24 and AMOS-24.
Results: The findings indicated that perceived parental conflict had a direct, positive, and significant effect on online romantic relationships (β = 0.69, P < 0.001) and loneliness (β = 0.80, P < 0.001). Additionally, loneliness had a direct, positive, and significant effect on online romantic relationships (β = 0.76, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the indirect effect of perceived parental conflict on online romantic relationships through loneliness was significant (β = 0.61). All fit indices (CFI = 0.95, TLI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.032, GFI = 0.97, AGFI = 0.95, χ²/df = 1.96) confirmed the excellent fit of the proposed model.
Conclusion: The causal model proposing that perceived parental conflict predicts online romantic relationships through the mediation of loneliness was confirmed. These findings underscore the necessity of designing family-based intervention programs and enhancing adolescents' social skills to reduce their vulnerability in cyberspace.
Type of Study:
Original |
Subject:
Educational Psychology Received: 2026/03/30 | Accepted: 2026/08/17