Abstract
This study examined the role of gender and bonding in Internet addiction in Hong Kong junior secondary school students. A total of 3,328 Secondary 1 (Grade 7) students responded to validated measures of positive youth development and Internet addiction. Consistent with the predictions, results showed gender differences in bonding, with adolescent girls showing a higher level of perceived bonding than did adolescent boys; adolescent boys also showed a higher level of Internet addiction symptoms than did girls. The findings provided support for the literature of the prediction of the positive youth development that bonding was related to risk behavior indexed by Internet addiction. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 219-228 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | International Journal of Child and Adolescent Health |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 2014 |
Keywords
- Chinese adolescents
- Hong Kong
- Project P.A.T.H.S.
- Internet addiction
- Positive youth development
- Bonding