This study aims not only to provide basic materials for developing Internet addiction prevention and cure programs, but also to create the environment where children can live safely and while being protected by their families, schools and the society ...
This study aims not only to provide basic materials for developing Internet addiction prevention and cure programs, but also to create the environment where children can live safely and while being protected by their families, schools and the society by studying the influence of children's dysfunctional belief and impulsiveness has on the level of Internet addiction and the mediator effect of impulsiveness in relation to dysfunctional belief and the level of Internet addiction.
The subjects for inquiry of this study are the following.
Study Problem 1: Is there correlation between the three factors - dysfunctional belief, impulsiveness, and Internet addiction?
Study Problem 2: What is the level of influence dysfunctional belief has on level of Internet addiction?
Study Problem 3: What is the level of influence impulsiveness has on the level of Internet addiction?
Study Problem 4: does impulsiveness have mediator effect in relation to dysfunctional belief and Internet addiction?
As the measurement tool of this study, dysfunctional belief test (DBT)'s shortened board made by Sehee Hong and Yongrae Cho (2006) that is modified by Dayoung Lim (2009) for children, Barratt impulsiveness test II (1969) board remade by Hyunsoo Lee (1992), and Korea Internet addictiveness self-test (K-test) developed by the Internet addiction prevention center were used.
In order to solve such study problems, surveys have been conducted targeting 320 fifth and sixth grade students from A, B elementary schools in Jeju City, and the material analysis was done using SPSS 18.0 program to conduct multiple regression analysis of the average, standard deviation, and correlation of major factors; and in order to test the mediator effect of impulsiveness in relation with dysfunctional belief and the level of Internet addiction, stepwise regression analysis was conducted.
The summary of the findings of the study is as follows.
First, between dysfunctional belief, impulsiveness, and Internet addiction, there was a static correlation. In other words, the higher dysfunctional belief or impulsiveness is, the higher the level of Internet addiction becomes.
Secondly, dysfunctional belief has a meaningful influence on the level of Internet addiction, and it has been found that negative belief about others and social relations, which is one of sub-factors of dysfunctional belief, has an important effect on the level of Internet addiction, one can find that the higher negative belief about others and social relations is, the higher the level of Internet addiction becomes.
Third, impulsiveness has a meaningful influence on the level of Internet addiction, and it has been found that motor impulsiveness, the sub-factor of impulsiveness, has an important effect on the level of Internet addiction, one can see that the higher motor impulsiveness is, the higher the level of Internet addiction becomes.
Fourth, the impulsiveness within the relationship between dysfunctional belief and the level of Internet addiction showed partial mediated effect. It was found that dysfunctional belief not only directly influences Internet addiction, but also has indirect influence via impulsiveness which is a parameter. Such results of analysis represent the fact that the influence of dysfunctional belief on the level of Internet addiction can be differentiated according to the individual impulsiveness level. Thus, the study signifies that not only parents, also teachers, friends and others around children experiencing difficulties in everyday relationships should help them to increase self-regard with continuous attention and care, so the children would not dive themselves into Internet addiction to escape from such isolation and exclusion; moreover, various programs should be developed and counseling approach for controlling and regulating impulsiveness should be performed so children can develop the ability to self-control.