Reciprocal associations between shyness, self-esteem, loneliness, depression and Internet addiction in Chinese adolescents

Abstract

Background The present study aimed to test reciprocal longitudinal associations among shyness, self-esteem, loneliness, depression, and Internet addiction. Method A total of 1047 junior middle school students participated in the study. Shyness, self-esteem, loneliness, depression and Internet addiction were assessed at two time-points separated by 12-months. Structural equation modeling was used to test for reciprocal longitudinal associations. Results Cross-lagged analysis revealed that (i) baseline shyness significantly and positively predicted Internet addiction 12 months later; (ii) baseline Internet addiction positively predicted later self-esteem; (iii) baseline loneliness positively predicted later Internet addiction, and baseline Internet addiction also positively predicted later loneliness; (iv) and, finally, baseline depression positively predicted later Internet addiction, and baseline Internet addiction also positively predicted later depression. No other lagged effects were significant. Conclusions The results suggested that shyness is an antecedent to Internet addiction, whereas self-esteem is the outcome of Internet addiction. Results also suggest loneliness and depression are antecedents to Internet addiction.