With the increasing prevalence of internet addiction among adolescents, identifying its underlying factors is crucial for effective prevention and intervention. This study explored the relationship between negative childhood experiences and internet addiction in adolescents, focusing on the mediating roles of perceived social support and resilience. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 412 adolescents aged 15 to 19. Participants completed the Early Life Events Scale, Internet Addiction Scale, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between negative childhood experiences and internet addiction (β = 0.403, p < .001). Moreover, perceived social support and resilience partially mediated this relationship, with family support showing the strongest mediating effect. These results support the mediating role of perceived social support and resilience in the relationship between negative childhood experiences and internet addiction among adolescents.
