Self-worth and internet addiction among Chinese youths in Hong Kong

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore the relationship between two external contingencies of self-worth (CSWs) in relation to Internet addiction among adolescents in Hong Kong. Based on past studies which indicated that external CSWs are vulnerable to threat, heighten perception of future interpersonal threat, and result in self-regulation problems, it was hypothesized that social competence and other approval CSW would be positively related to Internet addiction, and that this relationship would be mediated by perceived interpersonal threat. In addition, it was predicted that differences would be found in adolescents with high and low levels of perceived social competence. 804 local adolescents aged 11 to 19 participated in the study. Results of analyses supported the relationship between social competence and other approval CSWs and Internet addiction, which was mediated by perceived interpersonal threat. Perceived social competence was found to buffer the impact of perceived threat for individuals with social competence CSW. Findings are discussed within a cognitive-behavioral framework and potential clinical implications are suggested.