Internet addiction in adolescence period: its relations with identity style and ruminative exploration

Abstract

Objective: The main aim of this study is to investigate relations between internet addiction and identity styles and dimension of ruminative exploration. Methods: The research group consisted of 315 (165 female, 150 male) university students and their age are between 18-23 years old (mean=19.88±0.91). Internet Dependency Scale, Identity Style Inventory and Dimensions of Identity Development Scale were used to collect data. Results: It was found that 18.6% of participants have high scores in internet dependency. Results of this study revealed that normative style predicted internet addiction in negative way, avoidant style and dimension of ruminative exploration predicted internet addiction in positive way. Discussion: The result of this study showed that it may be helpful to consider identity characteristics of adolescents when specialists worked with adolescents about internet addiction. It will be useful to determine whether adolescents use internet to avoid identity construction or to stuck exploration process in treatment process. And finally to support adolescents to make commitment may provide great contribution in treatment process.