Predictive Relationships Between Social Anxiety, Internet Addiction and Alexithymia in Adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine whether social anxiety predicts internet addiction and alexithymia in adolescents. The study group of the study consists of 406 adolescents (216 women, 190 men), with the following three age groups: 13–14 (32.3%), 15–16 (43.8%), and 17–18 (23.9%). “Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (ESCO)”, “Internet Addiction Scale”, “Toronto Alexithymia Scale” and “Personal Information Form” were used as data collection tools. Structural equation modeling was made in the analysis of the data. According to the findings, there was a positive linear relationship between social anxiety and internet addiction. When the predictive relationships between social anxiety and alexithymia were examined, it was determined that there was a positive linear relationship. The findings were discussed in the light of the relevant literature.