Predicting Addiction to Virtual Social Networks Based on Alexithymia and Attachment Styles in Students

Introduction and goal: 

Considering the widespread interest of students in social networks and its positive and negative consequences, examining the psychological factors related to addiction to social networks is of particular importance. This research was conducted with the aim of predicting addiction to virtual social networks based on alexithymia and attachment styles in students.

Descriptive research was correlational. The statistical population included all the male students of the first secondary level in Tehran in 2024, who were selected by available sampling method, 150 people. To collect data from self-reporting tools, including virtual social network addiction questionnaire (Khaje Ahmadi et al., 2015), Toronto emotional ataxia (Bagbi et al., 1994) and attachment styles questionnaire (Hazen and Shaver, 1987) was used. Data analysis was done with descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression with SPSS version 26.

The results showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between addiction to virtual social networks and alexithymia and its components (R=0.682 and P=0.009). Also, between addiction to virtual social networks and each of the attachment styles, respectively, negative and significant secure attachment (R=-0.601 and P=0.007), and avoidant insecure attachment (R=0.524 and P=0.008) and ambivalent was also positive and significant (R=0.472 and P=0.015). Simultaneous regression analysis also showed that 31% of the variance of cyberspace addiction could be explained based on predictive variables.

According to the results of the research, in order to reduce the addiction to virtual social networks, by identifying the factors related to this type of harm, a suitable model can be designed and developed for the formulation and design of prevention programs.