憂鬱、網路使用效果預期與女男大學生網路成癮之路徑驗證

Examining the Pathways of Depression, Internet Use Outcome Expectancy and Internet Addiction in Female and Male College Students

目的：文獻指出憂鬱、網路使用正負向效果預期均顯著預測大學生網路成癮（以下簡稱網癮），但少探討網路負向效果預期的角色。本研究建立憂鬱、正負向網路使用效果預期及大學生網癮間的路徑模型，加以驗證；因網癮具性別差異，故以女男樣本分別驗證。方法：以國科會大學生網癮盛行率與社會心理因素研究計畫的部分資料進行分析，共2,448份有效樣本（女1,235人，男1,213人）。結果：憂鬱直接或間接透過情緒效果正向預期的中介，預測功能損害負向預期；而功能損害負向預期中介情緒效果正向預期與網癮程度之關係。憂鬱亦直接或間接透過功能損害負向預期的中介，預測網癮嚴重度。性別差異分析顯示，憂鬱到情緒效果預期之路徑係數與憂鬱透過情緒效果預期到功能損害預期之路徑係數，女生均顯著高於男生。結論：本研究支持Brand對網路使用正向預期的中介假設，進一步證明網路使用功能損害負向預期在憂鬱和網癮、情緒效果正向預期和網癮關係中的中介角色；但有待縱貫性研究驗證。

Purpose: According Brand’s (2014) model of generalized Internet addiction (GIA), an individual’s positive expectancy for Internet activity is due to certain personal characteristics that make them vulnerable to overuse of the Internet. Previous studies have indicated that depression, the positive expectancy of internet use (PEIU), and the negative expectancy of internet use (NEIU) significantly predict internet addiction (IA). However, little research has addressed the role of NEIU in the development of IA. Based on a literature review, we proposed a pathway model linking depression, PEIU, NEIU, and IA. Since there are gender differences in IA, we examine the proposed model by gender. Methods: This study was part of a larger investigation of IA prevalence and psychosocial risks among college students in which participants were recruited to complete surveys from universities throughout Taiwan using both stratified and random cluster sampling. The valid samples consisted of 2,448 students (1,235 females and 1,213 males). Results: The analyses indicated that depression directly or indirectly predicted the level of NEIU for functional impairment (NEIUFI) through the PEIU for mood modulation (PEIUMD); NEIUFI mediated the relationship between PEIUMD and the level of IA. Furthermore, depression directly or indirectly predicted IA through the NEIUFI. The gender difference analysis showed that the path coefficients of depression in predicting PEIUMD and NEIUFI when mediated through PEIUMD were higher in females than in males. Conclusions: Results supported Brand’s hypotheses on the role of PEIUMD. Our findings provide evidence illuminating the mediating role of NEIUFI in the association of depression with IA. Our results also indicate a relationship between PEIUMD and IA, which needs further examination with a longitudinal design.