Different types of internet use, depression, and social anxiety: The role of perceived friendship quality

M.H.W. van Zalk, S.J.T. Branje, M.J.M.H. Delsing, T.F.M. ter Bogt, W.H.J. Meeus

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The current study examined the longitudinal associations of time spent on Internet activities for communication purposes (i.e., IM-ing) versus time spent on Internet activities for non-communication purposes (i.e., surfing) with depression and social anxiety, as well as the moderating role of perceived friendship quality in these associations. Questionnaire data were gathered from 307 Dutch middle adolescents (average age 15 years) on two waves with a one-year interval. For adolescents who perceive low friendship quality, Internet use for communication purposes predicted less depression, whereas Internet use for non-communication purposes predicted more depression and more social anxiety. These results support social compensation effects of IM-ing on depression and poor-get-poorer effects of surfing on depression and social anxiety, respectively.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)819-833
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Adolescence
Volume32
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2009

Keywords

  • Internet use
  • Depression
  • Social anxiety
  • Perceived friendship quality

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Different types of internet use, depression, and social anxiety: The role of perceived friendship quality'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this