Adolescent Friendships : Differences in Function, Structure, and Satisfaction by Internet and Real Life Variables

청소년의 인터넷 중독과 친구관계의 특성

This study examined differences in function, structure, and satisfaction of adolescent friendships by differing patterns of internet usage and of real life versus internet friendships. Subjects were 396 male and female 10th grade students. Data were collected with structured questionnaires and analyzed by SPSS. Findings were that the internet functioned as a major field of interpersonal relationships for Korean adolescents. Among 3 types of internet usage patterns, pursuit of interpersonal relationship, constituted most of the functioning and the most intimate friendships and game pleasure had the fewest and least intimate friendships both in real life and on the internet. Subjects addicted to the internet had the most functioning friendships and the highest level of intimacy in friendships. As the level of internet addiction increased, the level of satisfaction in friendships in real life decreased while the level of satisfaction of friendships through the internet increased.