Internet Addiction, Self-esteem, and Loneliness in Adolescents

청소년의 인터넷 중독, 자아존중감과 외로움

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine internet addiction, self-esteem and loneliness in adolescents. Method: Subjects were middle and high school students in Daegu (N=486). Self-rating questionnaire included demographic data, the Korean version of Young internet addiction scale, self-rating self-esteem and loneliness scale. We have received the consent from teachers and students. Results: Among the subjects, 34% was addicted and internet addiction was significantly different according to gender, record at school, economic status, attitude of mother, father, teacher and friend about internet. There were significant differences in self-esteem and loneliness according to internet addiction. Internet addiction, self-esteem and loneliness were related to each other. Conclusion: These results indicate that internet addiction would be changed according to gender, record at school, economic status, attitude of mother, father, teacher and friend about internet. Therefore, further studies are needed to generalize these results and examine widely the related variables of internet addiction.