Mediating Effects of Emotional Venting via Instant Messaging (IM) and Positive Emotion in the Relationship between Negative Emotion and Depression

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating effects of emotional venting via instant messaging (IM) and positive emotion in the relationship between negative emotion and depression.METHODS: Online survey was conducted in Korea between 2 April and 7 April 2019. To obtain samples with representativeness, data were gathered by the professional research firm. A total of 250 Koreans were participated in this study. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and SPSS PROCESS macro to test the mediating effects.RESULTS: This study analyzed the direct/indirect effects of negative emotion on emotional venting via IM, in the relationship between positive emotion and depression. Negative emotion had indirect effects on depression through emotional venting via IM and positive emotion. Both emotional venting via IM and positive emotion had dual mediating effects in the influence of negative emotion on depression.CONCLUSION: These results suggest that it is important to manage negative emotion to prevent depression. Also, this study confirmed that emotional venting via IM is a powerful factor influencing emotional recovery.