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Relationship between Self-Identity Confusion and Internet Addiction among College Students: The Mediating Effects of Psychological Inflexibility and Experiential Avoidance

Author

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  • Kuan-Ying Hsieh

    (Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung 80276, Taiwan
    Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan)

  • Ray C. Hsiao

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
    Department of Psychiatry, Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • Yi-Hsin Yang

    (Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
    School of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan)

  • Kun-Hua Lee

    (Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling, National Tsing Hua University, Hsin-Chu City 30013, Taiwan)

  • Cheng-Fang Yen

    (Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
    Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan)

Abstract

Internet addiction (IA) has become a major public health problem among college students. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between self-identity confusion and IA and the mediating effects of psychological inflexibility and experiential avoidance (PI/EA) indicators in college students. A total of 500 college students (262 women and 238 men) were recruited. Their levels of self-identity were evaluated using the Self-Concept and Identity Measure. Their levels of PI/EA were examined using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II. The severity of IA was assessed using the Chen Internet Addiction Scale. The relationships among self- identity, PI/EA, and IA were examined using structural equation modeling. The severity of self-identity confusion was positively associated with both the severity of PI/EA and the severity of IA. In addition, the severity of PI/EA indicators was positively associated with the severity of IA. These results demonstrated that the severity of self-identity confusion was related to the severity of IA, either directly or indirectly. The indirect relationship was mediated by the severity of PI/EA. Self-identity confusion and PI/EA should be taken into consideration by the community of professionals working on IA. Early detection and intervention of self-identity confusion and PI/EA should be the objectives for programs aiming to lower the risk of IA.

Suggested Citation

  • Kuan-Ying Hsieh & Ray C. Hsiao & Yi-Hsin Yang & Kun-Hua Lee & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2019. "Relationship between Self-Identity Confusion and Internet Addiction among College Students: The Mediating Effects of Psychological Inflexibility and Experiential Avoidance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-11, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:17:p:3225-:d:263765
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daria J. Kuss & Mark D. Griffiths, 2011. "Online Social Networking and Addiction—A Review of the Psychological Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-25, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Diya Dou & Daniel T. L. Shek, 2021. "Concurrent and Longitudinal Relationships between Positive Youth Development Attributes and Adolescent Internet Addiction Symptoms in Chinese Mainland High School Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-20, February.
    2. Myriam Forster & Christopher J. Rogers & Steven Sussman & Jonathan Watts & Tahsin Rahman & Sheila Yu & Stephanie M. Benjamin, 2021. "Can Adverse Childhood Experiences Heighten Risk for Problematic Internet and Smartphone Use? Findings from a College Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-15, June.
    3. Olatz Lopez-Fernandez, 2021. "Emerging Health and Education Issues Related to Internet Technologies and Addictive Problems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-19, January.
    4. Inmaculada Méndez & Ana Belén Jorquera & Cecilia Ruiz Esteban & José Manuel García-Fernández, 2020. "Profiles of Problematic Internet Use in Bullying and Cyberbullying among Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-11, September.

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