Depression and impulsivity mediating the relationship between social anxiety and internet addiction

Abstract

Background: This study extended the stress-vulnerability model in order to understand Internet addiction in Asian countries. A parallel mediation model was proposed to specify that emotional and personality vulnerabilities would mediate the influence of social anxiety on Internet addiction. Methods: A total of 1127 participants (430 males and 697 females) aged from 17 to 28 were recruited from universities in Singapore. Participants completed a paper-and-pencil questionnaire on standardized psychological scales that assessed social anxiety, depression, impulsivity, and Internet addiction. Results: About 9.4% of the participants met the cut-off score for Internet addiction. The bootstrapping procedure was conducted to test the hypothesized parallel mediation model. Results showed that social anxiety had a direct effect on Internet addiction, as well as indirect effects via depression and impulsivity. Depression was found to be a stronger mediator than impulsivity. In particular, high levels of social anxiety were related to high levels of impulsivity and depression, which were in turn related to high levels of Internet addiction. The pathways of the proposed parallel mediation model were similar for males and females. There were no gender differences on the levels of Internet addiction, social anxiety, and impulsivity; but females reported more depression symptoms than males. Conclusions: Internet addiction is common in university students. It is associated with impulsivity and high rates of depression and social anxiety. Prevention and intervention strategies should be designed to address this phenomenon. Assessment and management of social anxiety, depression, and impulsive personality should also be included in the programs that aim to reduce Internet addiction.