Parent and peer attachment as predictors of facebook addiction symptoms in different developmental stages (early adolescents and adolescents)

Facebook Addiction (FA) is a problem that concerns minors all over the world. The attachment bond with peers and parents has been proven to be a risk factor for the onset of FA. However, the family and peer group can have a different importance depending on the developmental period of the minor. Thi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Addictive behaviors 2019-08, Vol.95, p.226-232
Main Authors: Badenes-Ribera, L., Fabris, M.A., Gastaldi, F.G.M., Prino, L.E., Longobardi, C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Addictions
Adolescence
Adolescents
Developmental stages
Facebook addiction
Parent attachment
Peer attachment
Peers
Problematic internet use
Risk factors
Social networks
Teenagers
Withdrawal
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Summary:Facebook Addiction (FA) is a problem that concerns minors all over the world. The attachment bond with peers and parents has been proven to be a risk factor for the onset of FA. However, the family and peer group can have a different importance depending on the developmental period of the minor. This study examined the influence of peer and parental attachment on the symptoms of FA in early adolescents and adolescents to verify whether attachment to peers and parents predicts FA symptoms in both categories respectively. The sample was composed of 598 participants (142 early adolescents) between the ages of 11 and 17 years (M age = 14.82, SD = 1.52) recruited in the school setting. Multivariate multiple regressions were performed. For early adolescents the relationships with their parents influenced the levels of FA the most (such as withdrawal, conflict, and relapse), whereas peer relationships (such as, peer alienation) were the most relevant for adolescents. Our study provides support to the role of attachment to peers and parents as a risk factor for symptoms of FA. In line with developmental theories, parents and peers acquire a different weight in predicting the relationship between attachment and FA for early adolescents and adolescents respectively. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed. •Facebook Addiction (FbA) is a problem that concerns minors all over the world.•The attachment bond with peers and parents has been proven to be a risk factor for the onset of FbA.•For pre-adolescents the relationships with their parents influenced the levels of FbA.•The most, whereas peer relationships were the most relevant for adolescents.•Our study confirms the role of attachment to peers and parents as a risk factor for symptoms of FbA.
ISSN:0306-4603
1873-6327
DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.05.009