The effect of approval dependence and empathy on excessive internet use through social benefit among university students

SİYEZ D. M.

ANADOLU PSIKIYATRI DERGISI-ANATOLIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY, vol.16, no.1, pp.30-36, 2015 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus, TRDizin) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 16 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2015
  • Doi Number: 10.5455/apd.172036
  • Journal Name: ANADOLU PSIKIYATRI DERGISI-ANATOLIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.30-36
  • Keywords: approval dependence, empathy, excessive internet use, path analysis
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this research was to examine the relationship between approval dependence, empathy and excessive internet use mediated with social benefit variable. Methods: 284 women and 382 men participated in this study. Participants completed Problematic Internet Use Scale, Scale of Dimensions of Interpersonal Relationships and information sheet. Path analysis was utilized to test he hypothesized causal model. Results: The results of the study demonstrated that social benefit mediated the relationship between approval dependence and excessive internet use. Also social benefit mediated the relationship between empathy and excessive internet use. Conclusion: University students who have higher level of approval dependence and lower level of empathy obtained more social benefit from internet and this lead to increase in excessive internet use.