Relationship between lifestyle and basic psychological needs with dependence on social networks mediated by emotional intelligence

Since the introduction of social networks, the pace of change in life has increased exponentially. Dependence on social networks can fundamentally change the course of human life. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between lifestyle and basic psychological needs with dependence on social networks mediated by emotional intelligence.

The correlation research design was structural equation modeling. The statistical population is students of Tehran province in 1400, of which 515 people were studied by multi-stage random sampling. Regarding education, 13.98% less than bachelor, 48.74% bachelor, 24.08% master and 13.20% doctorate participated. To measure the research variables, internet and social network addiction questionnaire(Young, 1998), lifestyle questionnaire (Lali & Abedi, 2012), the basic needs satisfaction in general scale (Guardia et al., 2000) and emotional intelligence questionnaire (Scott, 1998) were used.

The results showed that there is a significant relationship between lifestyle components, basic psychological needs and emotional intelligence with dependence on social networks (P <0.01). According to RMSEA, GFI and CFI indices, the fit of the model was approved with values ​​of 0.057, 0.994 and 0.967, respectively. Also, the mediating role of emotional intelligence in the relationship between lifestyle and basic psychological needs with dependence on social networks was identified.

Therefore, by improving lifestyle and basic psychological needs, it is possible to correct dependence on social networks.