Internet Obsession and Parent-Child Attachment in 5th and 6th Grade Students

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the patterns of internet usage among 5th and 6th grade elementary students, and analyze the correlation between the internet obsessive disorder and parent-child attachment. Method: A total of 303 elementary students in Seoul, Suwon, Ulsan, and Kwangjoo area participated in this study, and responded to self-administrated questionnaires. Results: With regard to the internet addiction, 2.7% of participants were classified as being in a high risk group, and 5.3% were classified as a potential risk group with boys at greater risk than girls, and 6th graders showing higher internet addiction scores than 5th graders. There were significant negative correlations between internet addiction and father-child attachment (r=-.122, p=.040), and mother-child attachment (r=-.154, p=.009). Conclusion: To prevent internet addiction in elementary school students, promoting parent-child interaction needs to be emphasized. More studies for finding affecting variables on internet addiction would be necessary, and different preventive approaches according to gender and grade should be introduced.