Investigating the Role of the Broad Autism Phenotype, Social Cognition, and Sense of Loneliness on Internet Addiction in College Students

Objective: Today, the Internet is a crucial part of life, especially the life of young people. Several factors may cause young people to have internet addiction (IA). This study aims to investigate the role of the broad autism phenotype (BAP), social cognition, and loneliness in creating IA among Iranian college students. Methods: The research method of this research was correlation and convenience sampling. The sample consisted of ۲۱۸ students of Imam Khomeini International University studying at this university in ۲۰۲۲-۲۰۲۳. Research data were collected using questionnaires of IA, loneliness, theory of mind, and BAP and analyzed using correlation method and simultaneous multiple regression analyses.  Results: The coefficient of correlation showed that loneliness, social cognition, and BAP have a significant relationship with IA at the (P=۰.۰۱) level. Also, this analysis showed that social cognition and BAP are more predictive of IA among technical students than social science students. The results showed a significant relationship between loneliness, social cognition, and BAP with IA.  Conclusion: In this regard, the officials of educational centers should take extensive measures to reduce the impact of the factors that cause IA in students.

کلیدواژه ها:

Internet addiction ، Broad autism phenotype (BAP) ، Theory of mind ، Loneliness ، Social cognition