A Model Proposal Regarding the Effect of Adolescents’ Psychological Endurance on Internet Addiction and Intermediary Role of Self-Esteem among Related Variables

 

ABSTRACT

This research is conducted in order provide a model proposal for supporting the youth’s efficient and productive use of education processes by preventing the misuse of information technologies. In this regard, the main purpose of this research is to reveal the effect of psychological endurance on internet addiction and intermediary role of self-esteem among related variables via a proposed model. Research hypotheses was developed based on the research model: H1: As much as the psychological endurance increases in adolescents, self-esteem increases. H2: As much as the psychological endurance increases in adolescents, internet addiction decreases. H3: Regarding the negative relationship between psychological endurance and internet addiction in adolescents, self-esteem has an intermediary function. In order to test the research model, data of 528 students among 540 students, 288 males and 240 females, from 9th, 10th and 11th grades were analyzed from public high school in Kadıköy district of Istanbul. The research is based on structural equation model. CFA analysis was performed with the software AMOS 21.0 and factor structures were analyzed. According to the results of SEM analysis, the students’ perception of Family Support negatively affects the Self-Esteem level (B=-0.294, p<0.05) and the students’ Peer Support perception negatively affects the Self Esteem (B=-0.259, p<0.05). The dimension which meets all three criteria of Baron and Kenny for intermediation test is the Determination to Struggle. According to the SOBEL test results, Self Esteem has a meaningful intermediary role in the effect of Determination to Struggle dimension on Internet Addiction (SOBEL=1.984, p<0.05).