• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.103-115
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• 2016

This study aims to examine the structural relationship between adverse childhood experience, anxiety, and internet addiction among youth probationers. The sample included 200 young probationers in Seoul probations office who were asked to fill out a self-administered survey questionnaire. Results from path analysis showed that adverse childhood experience positively influenced the risk for internet addiction (${\beta}=.396$, p<.05), and higher anxiety also predicted the internet addiction (${\beta}=.131$, p<.01). Mediating effect of anxiety between the adverse childhood experience and internet addiction was also confirmed. The study results indicated that prevention efforts for internet addiction is needed for this vulnerable population, and also implied the need to focus on dealing with childhood experience and anxiety in order to prevent problems related to internet addiction.