ABSTRACT
Objective To examine the relationship among gratitude,coping styles,and pathological Internet use (PIU) in secondary vocational school students.Method 1 011 secondary vocational school students were tested with gratitude questionnaire,coping style questionnaire and pathological internet use questionnaire.Results The scores of gratitude,problem-solving,help-seeking,guilty,illusion,withdrawal,rationalization and PIU were respectively (5.23 ± 1.06),(0.65± 0.21),(0.50± 0.22),(0.40± 0.23),(0.47 ±0.22),(0.51 ±0.18),(0.42±0.18),(2.23±0.97).Gratitude was significantly and negatively associated with PIU(r=-0.18,P＜0.01).Moreover,the effect of gratitude on PIU was totally mediated by problem-solving,guilty,illusion,and rationalization (27.27％,33.43％,29.72％,9.58％).However,the mediating effects of help-seeking and withdrawal were not significant.Conclusion Coping styles mediate gratitude and PIU,and coping styles should be considered during pathological internet use of secondary vocational school students.