Model of social networks Addiction: the role of family functioning with the mediation of basic psychological needs

Social networks play a very important role in people's relationships with each other, and one of the interpersonal components affecting the start of an addiction to social networks is the family and its function. Therefore, the present research was conducted aiming at investigating the role of family functioning in social network addiction by mediating basic psychological needs in students.
 
This study was a descriptive correlation research. The statistical population was composed of the high school students of Urmia in the academic year 2021-2022. From this population, a sample of 380 students was drawn. The selection was conducted through Morgan's table and cluster random sampling method. To collect data, Turel and Serenko’s (2012) social network addiction, Epstein and colleagues’ family functioning (2003), and Desi and Ryan basic psychological needs questionnaires (2000) were used. The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation and structural equation analysis.
 
The results showed that family functioning has a direct and significant effect on addiction to social networks and a direct and significant effect on basic psychological needs. Also, basic psychological needs have an inverse and significant effect on addiction to social networks. Furthermore, family functioning has an indirect and significant effect on addiction to social networks through the mediation of basic psychological needs (05/0>P).
 
The increase in family functioning (a high score indicates poor functioning) has reduced the basic psychological needs of students, which in turn increases addiction to social networks.