Homogeneity Of Internet Addiction In Adolescent Peer Groups And Its Causes

Homogeneity is an old topic in sociology,which refers to the similarity between individuals and their close friends.Up to now,its related researches have formed a scientific research paradigm in the field of psychology.It is mainly used to explore the homogeneity of adolescent peer groups in problem behaviors and psychological problems,and to analyze the reasons-peer selection and peer influence.With the rapid development of Internet technology,Internet addiction has become an important public health problem affecting the health of adolescents worldwide.In order to explore the homogeneity of Internet addiction among adolescents and to intervene Internet addiction effectively,it is urgent to clarify the homogeneity of Internet addiction among adolescent peer groups(research question 1)and to figure out the causes of homogeneity of Internet addiction(research question 2).In order to solve the above two questions,this study is divided into two sub-studies.In Study1,850 adolescents were selected from two junior and senior middle schools in Changchun by cluster sampling to conduct cross-sectional measurement,and the homogeneity of adolescent Internet addiction was investigated by applying Social Network Analysis.In Study 2,914 adolescents were selected and three follow-up measurements were carried out during 8 months.The peer nomination method was used to measure the peer relationship of adolescents in class and the degree of Internet addiction was measured by questionnaire.Ucinet 6.212 was used to establish a peer relationship network and matrix in class and the P2 module of StOCNET 1.8,a social network analysis tool,was used to verify the homogeneity of adolescents' Internet addiction.The causes of the homogeneity of adolescent Internet addiction(peer selection effect and peer influence effect)was examined by applying the SIENA module.Result:(1)The homogeneity effect parameters of Internet addiction in adolescents and their peer groups were significant;(2)The parameters of peer selection effect were not significant,and the parameters of peer influence effect were significant.The above results show that(1)There are similarities in the degree of Internet addiction between adolescents and their peer groups;(2)Internet addiction is not a significant factor in the process of choosing friends.Adolescents with similar degree of Internet addiction will not establish friendship relationship over time;(3)Adolescent Internet addiction tendencies will increase with the increase of peers' Internet addiction tendencies.Similarly,adolescents' Internet addiction tendencies will decrease with the decrease of peers' Internet addiction tendencies.The degree of Internet addiction of adolescents tends to change with the degree of peers' Internet addiction over time.Conclusion:(1)There is homogeneity of Internet addiction between adolescents and their peer groups;(2)The cause of homogeneity on Internet addiction is not peer selection effect,but peer influence effect.