The Role of Family Cohesion in Internet Addiction and the Development of Alexithymia in Male Adolescent Users of Facebook and Twitter

Background: Families' efforts to provide for their children's basic needs can have psychological impacts, such as children and adolescents feeling dissatisfied with their family environment and turning to online platforms that may not benefit their mental well-being. This study aimed to explore how family cohesion influences Internet addiction and the development of alexithymia in male adolescent users of Facebook and Twitter.Methods: Descriptive-correlational and cross-sectional research methods, along with path analysis, were utilized in this study. The research population consisted of all male Facebook and Twitter adolescent users in Isfahan from September to November 2021. A total of 261 male adolescents were selected as the statistical sample using purposeful sampling. The research utilized the Family Content Scale (FCS), Young's Internet Addiction Scale (IAT), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) as measurement tools. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 26 software, while path coefficients were analyzed. Additionally, data were analyzed and modeled through Pearson's correlation, multiple regression analysis, and beta coefficient. A significant level was set at 0.05.Results: Based on the research, family cohesion had no significant effect on alexithymia (β=-0.144, P-value=0.124). Likewise, family cohesion had a negative and significant effect on Internet addiction (β=-0.761, P-value<0.001). At the same time, Internet addiction had a positive and significant effect on alexithymia (β=0.461, P-value<0.001). The Internet addiction variable was significant as a mediating variable in the relationship between family cohesion and alexithymia (P-value<0.001).Conclusions: The results of the study suggested that a lack of family cohesion may contribute to the development of alexithymia and Internet dependency.Background: Families' efforts to provide for their children's basic needs can have psychological impacts, such as children and adolescents feeling dissatisfied with their family environment and turning to online platforms that may not benefit their mental well-being. This study aimed to explore how family cohesion influences Internet addiction and the development of alexithymia in male adolescent users of Facebook and Twitter. Methods: Descriptive-correlational and cross-sectional research methods, along with path analysis, were utilized in this study. The research population consisted of all male Facebook and Twitter adolescent users in Isfahan from September to November 2021. A total of 261 male adolescents were selected as the statistical sample using purposeful sampling. The research utilized the Family Content Scale (FCS), Young's Internet Addiction Scale (IAT), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) as measurement tools. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 26 software, while path coefficients were analyzed. Additionally, data were analyzed and modeled through Pearson's correlation, multiple regression analysis, and beta coefficient. A significant level was set at 0.05. Results: Based on the research, family cohesion had no significant effect on alexithymia (β=-0.144, P-value=0.124). Likewise, family cohesion had a negative and significant effect on Internet addiction (β=-0.761, P-value<0.001). At the same time, Internet addiction had a positive and significant effect on alexithymia (β=0.461, P-value<0.001). The Internet addiction variable was significant as a mediating variable in the relationship between family cohesion and alexithymia (P-value<0.001). Conclusions: The results of the study suggested that a lack of family cohesion may contribute to the development of alexithymia and Internet dependency.

The Role of Family Cohesion in Internet Addiction and the Development of Alexithymia in Male Adolescent Users of Facebook and Twitter Keywords:

Family cohesion , Internet addiction , Alexithymia , KAP survey , Adolescents