The Role of Instagram Addiction, Cognitive Fusion, and Flourishing in Worry among University Students with High Levels of Worry

The present study aimed to investigate the role of Instagram addiction, cognitive fusion, and flourishing in predicting worry among university students with high levels of worry. The study employed a descriptive-correlational design. The statistical population consisted of all University of Kurdistan students aged ۱۸ to ۳۵ years during the ۲۰۲۴–۲۰۲۵ academic year. A total of ۱۹۵ students with high levels of worry were selected using purposive sampling. The research instruments included the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ, ۱۹۹۰), the Flourishing Questionnaire (FQ, ۲۰۰۸), the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ, ۲۰۱۴), and the Test of Instagram Addiction (TIA, ۲۰۱۸). Data were analysed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. The results showed significant positive correlations between worry and excessive use (r =.۳۴), loss of control (r =.۴۰), interpersonal problems (r =.۳۰), preoccupation (r =.۳۲), escapism (r =.۳۸), and cognitive fusion (r =.۳۳), whereas worry was significantly negatively correlated with flourishing (r = −.۳۵), all P <.۰۱. Multiple regression analysis showed that the overall model was statistically significant, F (۷, ۱۸۷) = ۱۵.۶۹, p <.۰۰۱, with the predictors jointly accounting for ۳۷% of the variance in worry (R =.۶۱, R² =.۳۷). At the individual predictor level, loss of control (β =.۲۵, p =.۰۰۲) and escapism (β =.۲۳, p =.۰۰۳) were significant positive predictors of worry, while flourishing was a significant negative predictor (β = −.۲۰, p =.۰۱۹). Excessive use showed a marginally significant positive contribution (β =.۱۸, p =.۰۴۹), whereas interpersonal problems, preoccupation, and cognitive fusion did not make significant unique contributions to the prediction of worry. These findings suggest that difficulties in controlling Instagram use, escapism, and lower levels of flourishing are associated with greater worry among university students with high levels of worry.

کلیدواژه ها:

Instagram addiction ، flourishing ، worry ، cognitive fusion