The mediating effect of self-esteem, depression and anxiety between satisfaction with body appearance and problematic internet use

Abstract

. The mediating effect of self-esteem, depression and anxiety between satisfaction with body appearance and problematic internet use. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 39,[259][260][261][262][263][264][265] The moderating effect of self-esteem, depression and anxiety between satisfaction with body appearance and problematic internet use ABSTRACT Background and objectives: Given that dissatisfaction with bodily appearance can sometimes lead to the avoidance of personal contacts and the increase of internet use, the present study examines this relationship. The direct role of dissatisfaction with bodily appearance along with the possible mediation effects of depression, anxiety and self-esteem were tested. Methods: A total of 694 participants completed an online questionnaire (58.5% male, mean age 21.5 years), containing measures on problematic internet use, depression and anxiety symptoms, self-esteem and satisfaction with body image. Path analyses were used to test direct and indirect effects.Results: Satisfaction with body appearance had a significant negative direct effect on problematic internet use among both sexes. Additionally, satisfaction with body appearance had a positive effect on self-esteem and negative on anxiety. However, neither self-esteem nor anxiety had a direct significant effect on problematic internet use. However, the effect of dissatisfaction with body appearance also mediated via the self-esteem-depression path toward problematic internet use. Conclusions: Dissatisfaction with physical appearance seems to have a significant role in individuals' immersing themselves in internet use.Keywords: internet addiction, body appearance, self-esteem, anxiety, depression INTRODUCTIONProblematic internet use and 'internet addiction' have been areas for serious empirical research since the first academically published papers in 1996 (1, 2). Since then, well over 150 studies have been published that have explored this phenomenon from research examining prevalence rates and etiology, through to intervention and treatment studies (3)(4)(5). Despite these many studies, there is still no consensus as to the most appropriate name or the most comprehensive operationalization of the problem. However, numerous empirical studies have shown that very excessive internet use can lead to many consequences associated with more traditional addictions such as salience, tolerance, cravings, withdrawal symptoms, conflicts (with work, education, relationships, etc.), and relapse (6).It should also be noted that there is a distinct difference between addictions on the internet and addictions to the internet. As Griffiths and Widyanto (7) noted, being an internet gambling addict or an internet gaming addict are not internet addicts but gambling or gaming addicts using the medium of the internet to fuel their addiction. However, there are many activities (such as excessive use of chat rooms or social networking) that could be regarded as genuine internet addictions as these are activities that cannot occur anywhe...

Confirmation of the Chinese Version of the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire Short Form (PIUQ-SF)

“…Higher self-control was found to be associated with a low level of problematic Internet use (Li et al 2013). No significant gender differences were found regarding the PIUQ total score either in the earlier Hungarian studies (Demetrovics et al 2008;Koronczai et al 2013) or in the present Chinese sample. On the other hand, while men scored higher on the Neglect scale and women scored higher on the Control disorder scale in the Hungarian sample, men scored higher on the Obsession scale in the case of the Chinese student sample.…”

Optimism and Psychological Resilience in relation to Depressive Symptoms in University Students: Examining the Mediating Role of Self-Esteem

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Developmental Neuroscience Explaining Why Adolescents Engage in Risky Behaviors

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