Investigating the Relationships between Internet Addiction and Suicidal Ideation in Adolescent Girls.

Abstract

Objective: Suicidal ideation (SI) signifies a psychiatric crisis, and individuals with SI are at a significantly higher risk of suicide attempts compared to those without. According to previous research, three factors that affect SI in adolescent girls are externalization problems, alexithymia, and perceived social support (PSS). As a result, the present research aimed to examine whether internet addiction (IA) is associated with SI through the mediating roles of PSS, externalizing problems, and alexithymia among adolescent girls in Tehran, Iran. Method: The current correlational study employed a structural equation modeling approach. Model fit indices such as the Chi-square to degrees of freedom ratio (CMIN/DF), normed fit index (NFI), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), Tucker-Lewis index (TLI), and goodness-of-fit index (CFI) were reported to assess the model's adequacy. A total of 441 adolescent girls were selected from high school and between the ages of 11 and 19 using a convenience sampling method. Participants completed the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSSI), the Cell-Phone Over-Use Scale (COS), the Youth Self-Report (YSR), and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20) in a written manner. Data analysis was done using SPSS 25 and AMOS 22. Results: Results revealed a significant positive correlation between IA and SI (P < 0.001). The study's most significant findings indicate that PSS, externalizing problems, and alexithymia significantly mediate the relationship between SI and IA. The coefficient of determination for the SI variable was 0.33, which means that predictor variables can explain 33% of the variance in SI (IA, PSS, alexithymia, and externalizing problems). Conclusion: IA showed direct and indirect effects on SI. Using these findings, we can elucidate the mechanism of how IA affects individual SI, providing critical information for the development and implementation of targeted strategies and interventions to reduce SI among Iranian adolescent girls. Psychological interventions that address the role of externalizing behaviors, alexithymia, and PSS in adolescents with IA may help reduce SI.