The relationship between depression and internet addiction with intervention of alexithymia

This study aimed to determine the role of alexithymia on the relationship between depression and internet addiction. The design of this study is descriptive and correlational. The study population included all students of Islamic Azad University of Karaj studying in the second semester 95-96, and by using cluster random sampling, 314 students were selected as the sample of study. The research instruments used were alexithymia scale designed by Toronto (1986), depression by Beck (1987) and Internet Addiction by Young (1988). Subjects Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results revealed that the developed model was reliable and valid and the relationship between depression and internet addiction was intervened by alexithymia. In other words, users suffer from Internet addiction when they show more features of alexithymia and depression, so it is more likely that they have Internet addiction. Based on the findings of this study, the consideration of the predictions and Internet addiction symptoms to develop therapeutic interventions is highly recommended.