Abstract
Internet addiction, which is one of the types of addictions that lead individuals to an unhealthy use, is accepted as the problem of today’s digital world. Undoubtedly, the emergence of Internet addiction is due to the increase in dynamic problems. Addiction resulting from pathological Internet use is accompanied by psychodynamic problems such as self-esteem and identity confusion. On the other hand, it is clear that there is not enough research in the literature about the relationship between these psychodynamic factors and Internet addiction. This empirical study, which aims to identify data that will help fill the gap in the literature and to shed light on the relationship between Internet addiction and self-esteem and identity confusion, was conducted on a sample of students from Sivas Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Communication students. In the study; data were obtained using the sociodemographic data form, Sense of Identity Assessment Tool (SIAT), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSS), and Young Internet Addiction Scale (YIAS). The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS package program. In the study conducted with 200 participants, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of mean YIAS score by age, gender, marital status, loss of years during university education and whether or not they had a social media account (p>0.05 for each variable). However, a positive and statistically significant relationship was found between the YIAS and the mean scores of both SIAT and RESE (p= 0.000, r= 0.550; p= 0.000, r= 0.376, respectively). In addition, significant results were obtained between the groups in relation to the mean score of the YIAS as a function of the level of self-esteem and the presence or absence of identity confusion (p= 0.000 for both variables). However, significant results were also obtained in the comparisons made by considering the cut-off values of the YIAS (p<0.05). According to the results of the research; psychodynamic factors such as self-esteem and identity confusion have an important role in Internet addiction.