Internet addiction and anxious symptoms in adults: The mediating role of self-compassion

Abstract

Introduction: The use of the Internet has increased in recent years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of the internet can become harmful when it becomes excessive and compulsive, associated with psychopathology. Self-compassion has been found to be an effective emotion regulation strategy against problematic internet use and anxiety.

Objectives: To study the relationship between generalized internet dependency, self-compassion, and anxious symptoms, analyzing the mediating effect of self-compassion on this relationship.

Methods: The study included 725 adults who filled out a protocol with self-report instruments that assessed internet dependency (short version of the Generalized Internet Dependency Scale), self-compassion (short version of the Self-Compassion Scale), and anxious symptoms (Inventory of Mental Health).

Results: Higher levels of generalized internet dependency and anxious symptoms were related to lower levels of self-compassion. There was a positive association between anxious symptoms and internet dependency. Self-compassion mediates the relationship between internet dependency and anxiety.

Conclusions: The results identify self-compassion as a potential and effective emotion regulation strategy in adults with generalized internet dependency and anxiety symptoms.