Self-efficacy and Perceived Parental Support/Affection as Mediators of Stressor Risk Factors for Adolescent Internet Addiction in South Korea

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated life stressors as risk factors for manifestations of adolescent Internet addiction, as well as the mediating roles of self-efficacy and perceived parental support/affection. It examined the influence from each parent, which has been addressed minimally in previous studies. Methods: The 4th wave of data from the Korean Education and Employment Panel Survey was used for the analysis. Our model includes six stressor risk factors including academic stressors, mother’s and father’s over-controlling behavior, mother’s and father’s abusive behavior, and stressors from relationships with friends, as well as three potential mediators (self-efficacy and perceptions of mother’s and father’s support/affection). Results: Regarding stressor risk factors for Internet addiction, academic stress, mother’s over-control, and stressors from peer relationships were significant, whereas father’s over-control and abuse from either parent were not. self-efficacy was found to be a mediator between stressors and Internet addiction, but perceived parental support/affection was not. Conclusions: The results are discussed with in the current social context in Korea, and implications are proposed.