Investigating the Relationship between Internet Addiction and Various Aspects of Family Functioning in Adolescents in Khomeinishahr, Iran

Due to the prevalence of Internet use in most societies and the occurrence of a phenomenon called Internet dependence that has many consequences in people's lifestyles, it is necessary to examine the relevant or behavioral factors at a younger age. This study aimed to investigate Internet addiction and its relationship with various aspects of family functioning in adolescents.

The present study was a cross-sectional study (descriptive-analytical) in which, 604 adolescent students of Khomeini-Shahr schools, Iran, were selected through multistage cluster random sampling. Data collection tools included Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and McMaster’s Family Assessment Device (FAD) questionnaires. Correlation test and regression analysis were used to evaluate the correlation between the data and the ratio of chance. Data analysis was performed with SPSS software.

A study of the relationship between family functions and Internet addiction showed that almost all aspects of family functions including communication, role, affective responsiveness, affective involvement, behavior control, and general functioning were significantly and positively related to Internet addiction (P < 0.050). In examining the chance ratio, linear regression analysis showed that only the ability of affective responsiveness [odds ratio (OR) = 1.19], affective involvement (OR = 1.08), and family functioning (OR = 1.07) had a significant chance ratio in Internet addiction (P < 0.010).

Considering the significant relationship between different dimensions of family functions and Internet addiction, the higher the ability of performing a role, affective responsiveness, affective involvement, and behavior control in families is, the lower the Internet addiction among students will be. Therefore, family functioning can be a significant explanation for the behavior of Internet addiction in adolescents.