INFLUENCE OF DARK TRIAD AND FAMILY FUNCTIONING ON INTERNET ADDICTION AMONG IN-SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS IN NSUKKA URBAN OF ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

    The study examined the association between dark triad and family functioning on internet addiction among adolescents. Participants were 300 students, age ranging from 11- 19 years (male n = 137, 45.7%, female n = 163, 54.3%, mean age = 16.68, SD = 2.03) conveniently drawn from 3 co- educational secondary schools in Nsukka urban. Instruments such as: The 27-item Short Dark Triad Questionnaire (SD3), The Mcmaster Family Assessment Device (FAD) and -Internet Addiction Test (IAT) were used to elicit the information needed. Hierarchical multiple regression showed that narcissism dimension of dark triad was not associated with Internet Addiction β= -.11, whilePsychopathy and Machiavellianism were significantly associated with Internet Addiction (β= .15, p<.05) (β= .23, p<.01), and poor family functioning were found to be significantly associated with greater Internet addiction (β = .13). These findings offer important implications for understanding the prevalence of Internet Addiction and its associated risk factors among in-school adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, this will enable the creation of a specific model for early intervention, diagnosis and rational treatment, and thus a better improvement in the quality of adolescents’ life.   Keywords: In-school adolescents, dark triad, family functioning, internet addiction.