SELF-COMPASSION AND INTERNET ADDICTION

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship of self-compassion and internet addiction. Participants were 261 university students who completed a questionnaire package that included the Self-compassion Scale and the Online Cognition Scale. The hypothesis model was tested through structural equation modeling. In correlation analysis, self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness factors of self-compassion were found negatively related to internet addiction. On the other hand, self-judgment, isolation, and over-identification factors of self-compassion were found positively correlated to internet addiction. According to path analysis results, internet addiction was predicted negatively by self-kindness and mindfulness. Further self-judgment, isolation, and over-identification predicted internet addiction in a positive way. Results were discussed in the light of literature.