Social Anxiety May Modify the Relationship Between Internet Addiction and Its Determining Factors in Chinese Adolescents

The aim of this study was to explore Internet addiction (IA) and its associated factors among Chinese adolescents. Ten thousand one hundred fifty-eight Chinese adolescents were selected in this study by using random cluster sampling. The prevalence rate of IA among Chinese adolescents was 10.4%. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed gender, the only child, father-adolescent relationship, annual family income, academic performance, physical exercise, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES) score, and Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) score were significantly associated with IA among adolescents in social anxiety group ( P < 0.05). In addition, gender, parental control, annual family income, academic performance, physical exercise, RSES score, and LSAS score were significantly associated with Internet addiction among adolescents in non-social anxiety group ( P < 0.05). The mediating effects of social anxiety between multiple factors and IA were also significant. These findings can provide guidance aimed at reducing IA among Chinese adolescents.