Social Network Addiction and Its Impact on Anxiety Level among University Students

Raquel Lozano Blasco, Cecilia Latorre Cosculluela and Alberto Quílez Robres
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Raquel Lozano Blasco: Department of Science Education, University of Zaragoza, 50001 Zaragoza, Spain
Cecilia Latorre Cosculluela: Department of Science Education, University of Zaragoza, 50001 Zaragoza, Spain
Alberto Quílez Robres: Department of Science Education, University of Zaragoza, 50001 Zaragoza, Spain

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 13, 1-16

Abstract: Despite the obvious favorable effects of social networking sites, there is a risk of developing behavioral addictions. This study aims to analyze addiction to social networks and its relationship with anxiety. A sample (n = 361) of university students (undergraduate, master’s and doctoral) comprising 87.5% women and 12.5% men with a mean age of 32.58 (SD = 12.03) and 32.36 (SD = 10.21), respectively, was included. Addiction to social networks was measured using the Social Network Addiction (SNA) questionnaire and anxiety was measured using Spanish adaptation of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI Test). The regression results show how concurrent moderating variables such as age (adulthood) predispose individuals to addiction in some way (Model 5, explained 13.5%, R 2 = 0.135, p = 0.040). Similarly, we found that the aspect of addiction that generates anxiety is an obsession with social networks. Anxiety arises as excessive use decreases, similar to abstinence syndrome. It is concluded that the harmlessness of social networks and their inappropriate use can lead to behavioral addiction.

Keywords: anxiety; internet addiction; social networking sites (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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