Internet addiction prediction modeling based on quality of life and life satisfaction: the mediating role of stress coping strategies

Internet addiction can cause psychological damage. Various variables can contribute to internet addiction, such as quality of life, life satisfaction, and stress coping strategies. The research question is whether stress coping strategies play a mediating role in the relationship between quality of life and life satisfaction with internet addiction?

The purpose of this study was to develop a model for predicting internet addiction based on quality of life and life satisfaction with mediating role of stress coping strategies.

The present research was a descriptive-correlational study. The statistical population of the study consisted of all students at Allameh Tabataba'i and Al-Zahra Universities in the year 2018-19. The sampling method was available in which 300 students were selected as sample group based on admission and exit criteria. Research tools were Young Internet Addiction Questionnaire (1996), World Health Organization Quality Questionnaire (1996), Diener et al. Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (1985), and Billings and Mouse Coping Strategies Questionnaire (1981). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation test and path analysis.

The results showed that all variables of the research except for the emotion-focused coping strategy had a significant negative relationship with internet addiction. The results of the path analysis indicated that the model fit in well, in which both quality of life and life satisfaction directly and indirectly (through stress coping strategies) predicted Internet addiction (p< 0/001).

Quality of life and life satisfaction appear to play a key role in Internet addiction, along with other factors, including how to deal with individual problems, and the need to pay attention to these factors in prevention programs.