Ergenlerin internet bağımlılık, algılanan sosyal destek, yalnızlık ve psikolojik belirti düzeyleri: Farklı yapısal mpdellerin denenmesi üzerine bir çalışma

Bilgin M.

BMC PSYCHOLOGY, vol.13, pp.2-10, 2025 (SSCI)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 13
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1186/s40359-025-02535-0
  • Journal Name: BMC PSYCHOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Page Numbers: pp.2-10
  • Çukurova University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Internet usage has become an inevitable part of daily life. Adolescents who are developmentally vulnerable due

to family dynamics or who suffer psychological distress are at greater risk of problematic Internet use. This study

aims to reveal the intricate psychological pathways linking family social support to problematic Internet use

among adolescents and the mediating roles of hostility and depression. The study uses serial mediation analyses

and Hayes PROCESS macro to examine a large sample of 2,047 adolescents (1,182 females and 865 males). Results

revealed a significant negative association between family social support and problematic Internet use. Both

hostility and depression were found to be critical mediators, functioning independently and sequentially in the

relationship between family social support and problematic Internet use. The findings highlight the protective role

of family social support against problematic Internet use among adolescents by reducing hostility and depressive

symptoms. This investigation contributes to the extant literature by elucidating the psychological mechanisms

underlying problematic Internet use. It suggests that interventions targeting family support systems, feelings of

hostility, and depression may effectively mitigate problematic Internet use among adolescent populations.

Keywords Family social support, Problematic internet use, Hostility, Depression, Adolescent