Testing the internet addiction model based on psychopathological aspects, personality, and social cognition mediated by coping strategies and internet use expectations

Studies showed that the extreme use of the Internet that is prevalent among adolescents today affects their depression, social anxiety, and academic performance, communication with parents, self-esteem, and efficiency. Internet use expectancies and coping strategies also affect the relationship between the underlying factors and Internet addiction.

In this regard, this study examined the model of predicting Internet addiction in high school students.

This was a descriptive-correlational study and its population was all male and female high school students in Gorgan city. Research instruments included the Young Internet addiction test (2013), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (1965), the Schwartz Self-Efficacy Scale (1995), inventory for chronic stress (Schultz, 2004), brief cope (Carver,1997) and Wegmanns Internet use expectancies.

The findings showed that the aspects of psychological pathology have no significant effect on Internet addiction (P> 0. 1). But personality aspects and social cognitions have a negative effect on Internet addiction (P<0.01). Also, the effect of Internet usage expectations on the relationship between pathology and Internet addiction (P<0.913); between personality aspects and internet addiction (P<0.917), and on the relationship between social aspects and internet addiction (P<0.951) is not significant. Additionally, coping strategies have a positive and significant effect on the relationship between pathology and Internet addiction (P<0.000) and have a negative and significant effect on the relationship between personality and Internet addiction (P<0.000).

It seems that controlling mood and anxiety symptoms, teaching strategies to increase self-efficacy, self-esteem, perceived social support and coping skills, and changing Internet use expectations are helpful in preventing the development and maintenance of Internet addiction.