National identity and social connectedness among Chinese college students with disabilities: examining the multiple mediating roles of social media use motives and use diversity.

This cross‑sectional study examined the associations of national identity with social connectedness among Chinese college students with disabilities, testing social media use motives and use diversity as multiple mediators. Data were drawn from 527 valid survey responses, with participants completing validated scales assessing national identity, social connectedness, social media use motives, and social media use diversity. All analyses controlled for key demographic covariates, and indirect effects were estimated using bias‑corrected bootstrap methods. Bivariate associations were examined with Pearson correlations, and multiple mediation effects were tested using bias‑corrected bootstrap methods with 5,000 resamples. National identity was significantly and positively associated with social media use motives, and significantly and negatively associated with use diversity. Social media use motives were significantly and positively associated with social connectedness, while the association between use diversity and social connectedness was non-significant. National identity had no significant direct association with social connectedness, but its total indirect effect was significant-only the mediating path of use motives was statistically valid (the other two paths were non-significant). In essence, national identity is linked to these students' social connectedness primarily through its positive association with social media use motives. This study enriches theoretical research on the drivers of social connectedness for this group and provides empirical evidence for improving their social integration via national identity education and targeted social media guidance.