A Study of the Relationship between Attachment, Coping Strategy, and Internet Addiction for College Students in Taiwan

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among college students` attachment, coping strategy and internet addiction, and the predictability of attachment and coping strategy for Internet addiction. Methods: The sample of this study consisted of 295 college students (male: 50%; female: 50%). The measurements applied in this study included “Attachment Inventory”, “Coping Strategy Inventory “, and “Internet Addiction Inventory”. Data obtained in this study was analyzed by t -test, ANOVA, Pearson product-moment correlation, and Multiple regression analysis. Results: 1. About the gender difference, males were more anxious attachment (t=2.85, p<.01) and avoidant attachment to mother (t=3.27, p<.01), more anxious attachment (t=2.87, p<.01) to father, and more avoidant attachment to friends (t=3.17, p<.01) than females. The coping strategy for females were more positive than males (t=3.84, p<.01). Male internet addiction were higher than female (t=3.27, p<.01). 2. Father`s parenting style would influence avoidant attachment (F=13.79, p<.01) and anxious attachment to father (F=4.11, p<.05). Mother`s parenting style would influence the avoidant attachment (F=29.97, p<.01) and anxious attachment to mother (F=13.58, p<.01), the anxious attachment to father (F=5.12, p<.05), and the internet addiction for college students (F=6.26, p<.05). 3. The anxious attachment to father (r=.34, p<.01), mother (r=.48, p<.01), friends (r=.43, p<.01) and avoidant attachment to mother (r=.19, p<.01), friends (r=.21, p<.01) were significantly related to Internet addiction. Coping strategy was significantly related among anxious attachment to father (r=.37, p<.01), mother (r=.38, p<.01) and friends (r=.51, p<.01), avoidant attachment to father(r=.14, p<.05), mother (r=.30, p<.01) and friends (r=.41, p<.01). And there were significantly related between coping strategy and internet addiction (r=.39, p<.01). 4. The anxious attachment to mother, the avoidant attachment to father and coping strategy could predicted internet addiction (r2=.30).