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Adolescent Attachment to Parents and Peers and the Use of Instagram: The Mediation Role of Psychopathological Risk

Author

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  • Giulia Ballarotto

    (Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Via degli Apuli, 1, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Barbara Volpi

    (Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Via degli Apuli, 1, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Renata Tambelli

    (Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Via degli Apuli, 1, 00185 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Several studies have shown an association between adolescents’ attachment relationships and social media use. Instagram is the social media platform most used by teenagers and recent studies have shown an association between Instagram use and increased psychopathological risk. The present study aims to verify whether psychopathological risk mediates the relationship between an adolescent’s attachment to their parents and peers and their Instagram addiction. N = 372 adolescents are assessed through self-report questionnaires evaluating Instagram addiction, the adolescents’ attachments to parents and peers, and their psychopathological risk. The Bergen Instagram Addiction Scale (BIAS) is developed by adapting the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale. Results show the validity and reliability of the BIAS, confirming a one-factor structure. Findings show that a worse attachment to parents and peers is associated with adolescents’ psychopathological risk, which is associated with Instagram addiction. This finding has important clinical implications. Being able to intervene in adolescents’ relationships with parents and peers and the ways in which adolescents feel in relation to others could allow for a reduction in adolescents’ psychological difficulties, involving reduced Instagram use as a vehicle for the expression of their psychopathological symptoms.

Suggested Citation

  • Giulia Ballarotto & Barbara Volpi & Renata Tambelli, 2021. "Adolescent Attachment to Parents and Peers and the Use of Instagram: The Mediation Role of Psychopathological Risk," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-13, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:8:p:3965-:d:533052
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eleonora Marzilli & Luca Cerniglia & Giulia Ballarotto & Silvia Cimino, 2020. "Internet Addiction among Young Adult University Students: The Complex Interplay between Family Functioning, Impulsivity, Depression, and Anxiety," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-15, November.
    2. Élodie Verseillié & Stéphanie Laconi & Henri Chabrol, 2020. "Pathological Traits Associated to Facebook and Twitter among French Users," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-9, March.
    3. Longobardi, C. & Settanni, M. & Fabris, M.A. & Marengo, D., 2020. "Follow or be followed: Exploring the links between Instagram popularity, social media addiction, cyber victimization, and subjective happiness in Italian adolescents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    4. Yi-Ting Huang & Sheng-Fang Su, 2018. "Motives for Instagram Use and Topics of Interest among Young Adults," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-12, August.
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    1. Giulia Ballarotto & Eleonora Marzilli & Luca Cerniglia & Silvia Cimino & Renata Tambelli, 2021. "How Does Psychological Distress Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Internet Addiction and Instagram Addiction in Emerging Adults?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-19, October.
    2. Gianluca Santoro & Antonino Costanzo & Christian Franceschini & Vittorio Lenzo & Alessandro Musetti & Adriano Schimmenti, 2024. "Insecure Minds through the Looking Glass: The Mediating Role of Mentalization in the Relationships between Adult Attachment Styles and Problematic Social Media Use," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(3), pages 1-15, February.
    3. Renata Tambelli & Silvia Cimino & Eleonora Marzilli & Giulia Ballarotto & Luca Cerniglia, 2021. "Late Adolescents’ Attachment to Parents and Peers and Psychological Distress Resulting from COVID-19. A Study on the Mediation Role of Alexithymia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-17, October.
    4. Eleonora Marzilli & Luca Cerniglia & Silvia Cimino & Renata Tambelli, 2022. "Internet Addiction among Young Adult University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Peritraumatic Distress, Attachment, and Alexithymia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-22, November.

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