Abstract:

The present study uses unconstrainted structural equation model to explore the interactive effects of adolescents’ Neuroticism and internet service preference on internet addiction, by surveying a sample of 339 adolescents through questionnaires. Results from this study indicate that the interactive effects of adolescents’ Neuroticism and internet social, recreational and information service preference, except business service preference, are significant: (1) On average effect, adolescents’ Neuroticism, internet social, recreational, and business service preference have a positive effect on internet addiction, and internet information service preference has no significant effect on internet addiction; (2) Neuroticism moderates the relationships between internet social, recreational, business service preference and internet addiction. Especially, these relationships are stronger for adolescents high in Neuroticism; (3) Further slope tests indicate that, for high Neuroticism adolescents, internet information service preference still has no effect on internet addiction; for low Neuroticism adolescents, internet social and recreational service preference have no significant effect on internet addiction

Key words: adolescents, internet addiction, Neuroticism, internet service preference, interactive effects