Modeling the structural relationships of internet addiction based on psychological capital with the mediating role of academic engagement

Abstract

Background: Internet addiction is a disorder characterized by the excessive use of the internet and can affect an individual's other social functions. Hence, it is necessary to identify factors that reduce dependence on the internet and its adverse consequences. Aims: This study aimed to identify the predicting effect of psychological capital on internet addiction in order to help to design protective strategies by the use of the mediating role of academic engagement. Method: This research was a descriptive survey with a correlational and structural equation modeling type. The statistical population of the study consisted survey of the 1200 students who were studying at Farhangian University of North Khorasan (2019-2020). By the use the systematic random sampling method, 300 of the students were randomly selected and filled out Young's Internet Addiction (1998), luthans' psychological capital (2007), and Reeve academic engagement questionnaires (2013). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data, using the SPSS 24 and Amos 23 software. Results: The results showed that psychological capital and academic engagement have a negative and significant effect on internet addiction. Moreover, academic engagement has a mediating role in the relationship between psychological capital and internet addiction. Considering the model fit indices (GFI=.92, PCFI=.74, CFI=.91, RMSEA=.075, X2/d.f=2.564(, the proposed model has a good fit. Conclusions: Regarding the negative relationship between psychological capital and academic engagement with internet addiction, the managers and policymakers of the university can control internet addiction by providing conditions for raising the psychological capital indicators and increasing academic engagement.

Keywords

• internet addiction
• psychological capital
• academic engagement.