title: Perceived Social Support, Self-Esteem, and Internet Addiction Among Students of Al-Zahra University, Tehran, Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Internet addiction is a global phenomenon that causes serious problems in mental health and social communication. Students form a vulnerable group, since they have free, easy, and daily access to the internet.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The current study aimed to investigate perceived social support, self-esteem, and internet addiction among Al-Zahra University students.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the current descriptive research, the statistical sample consisted of 101 female students residing at AL-Zahra University dormitory, Tehran, Iran. Participants were randomly selected and their identities were classified. Then, they completed the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Rosenberg's Self-esteem Scale, and Yang Internet Addiction Test. After completion of the questionnaires, the data were analyzed using the correlation test and stepwise regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Pearson correlation coefficient indicated significant relationships between self-esteem and internet addiction (P < 0.05, r = -0.345), perceived social support (r = 0.224, P < 0.05), and the subscale of family (r = 0.311, P < 0.05). The findings also demonstrated a significant relationship between internet addiction and perceived social support (r = -0.332, P < 0.05), the subscale of family (P < 0.05, r = -0.402), and the other subscales (P < 0.05, r = -0.287). Results of the stepwise regression showed that the scale of internet addiction and the family subscale were predicative variables for self-esteem (r = 0.137, P < 0.01, F2, 96 = 77.7).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings of the current study showed that persons with low self-esteem were more vulnerable to internet addiction.
authors.affiliation: Psychosocial Injuries Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Laila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Naseri
authors.affiliation: Psychosocial Injuries Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Jalal
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mohamadi
authors.affiliation: Psychosocial Injuries Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, IR Iran ; Department of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Koroush
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sayehmiri
authors.affiliation: Student Research Committee, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Yosra
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Azizpoor
keywords: Addictive; Internet; Self Concept; Social Support