Examining the relationship between internet addiction and the willingness to continue living, mediated by life satisfaction and negative suicidal ideation, with depression as a mediator.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigates the relationship between internet addiction and suicidal Ideations among adolescents, aiming to understand the connection between these two phenomena.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 on 333 adolescent boys and girls aged 14 to 19, who were studying in Ahvaz city, using a cluster random sampling method. Data were collected using a multi-section questionnaire comprising demographic characteristics, internet addiction, suicidal Ideations, the adolescent depression questionnaire, and life satisfaction. Data were analyzed using path analysis modeling, Chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test, with the help of SPSS 21 and Amos version 24 software.

RESULTS

In total, 10.5% were regular users, 40.5% had mild addiction, 44.7% had moderate addiction, and 4.2% had severe internet addiction. The results showed that internet addiction affects negative suicidal Ideations through the mediation of depression and positive suicidal Ideations (desire to live) through the mediation of life satisfaction. The average depression score among adolescents was 8.82 ± 8.76, and the average life satisfaction was 21.25 ± 7.76.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results of the present study, suicidal Ideations among adolescents cannot be directly attributed to their internet addiction. The component of depression acts as a mediating factor in creating negative suicidal Ideations, while life satisfaction serves as a supportive factor in the relationship between internet addiction and positive suicidal Ideations (desire to continue living) in adolescents.