The Relationship Between Anxious Attachment and Social Networking Site Addiction in Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions, Self-Esteem, and the Desire to Be Liked

Adolescents are at risk of social networking sites (SNS) addiction. One of the variables predicting SNS in adolescents is thought to be attachment styles. Anxious attachment is known to be related to SNS addiction. However, there are limited studies on the mediating variables of this relationship. This cross-sectional study aims to determine the variables affecting the relationship between anxious attachment style and SNS addiction. Study data were obtained online from 414 adolescents. Independent Samples t-Test, correlation analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to evaluate the study data. It was found that low self-esteem and interpersonal cognitive distortion affect the desire to be liked, and this predicts SNS addiction. The findings from this study are essential for understanding the complex relationship between attachment and SNS. These study findings re-emphasize the importance of a secure and stable relationship with the primary caregiver from the perspective of SNS addiction.