Associations between Friendship Networks and Internet Addictive Behaviors: Relationship Quality as a Mediator

Abstract

The study examined the mediating role of relationship quality on the associations between friendship networks and internet addictive behaviors. Three hundred and sixty-four (364) undergraduate students comprising 199 males and 165 females (Mean Age = 22.53, SD = 3.94) selected from the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, participated in the study. Three measures were used in the study; the Interpersonal Relationship Questionnaire, the Friendship Network Satisfaction Scale, and the Internet Addiction Scale. Hayes regression-based PROCESS Macro results revealed that relationship quality significantly mediated the associations between friendship networks and internet addictive behaviors (95% CI = -.18, -.07). The study discussed the implication of the findings for psychologists, therapists, and relationship counselors.