استفاده از اینترنت و پرخاشگری کلامی: نقش تعدیل کننده پدر و مادر و همسالان

This research investigated the influence of parent–adolescent communication quality, as perceived by the adolescents, on the relationship between adolescents’ Internet use and verbal aggression. Adolescents (N = 363, age range 10–16, MT1 = 12.84, SD = 1.93) were examined twice with a six-month delay. Controlling for social support in general terms, moderated regression analyses showed that Internet-related communication quality with parents determined whether Internet use is associated with an increase or a decrease in adolescents’ verbal aggression scores over time. A three way interaction indicated that high Internet-related communication quality with peers can have disadvantageous effects if the communication quality with parents is low. Implications on resources and risk factors related to the effects of Internet use are discussed.

In recent years the Internet has become a significant part of many adolescents’ lives (Rideout, Foehr, & Roberts, 2010). The increasing popularity of the Internet (due to more widespread broadband access and new applications such as Youtube and Facebook) has fuelled questions on its consequences by the general public and researchers alike. One field of inquiry is the role of parents and how they can contribute to more positive and less negative consequences of adolescent Internet use. The present research is focused on adolescents’ Internet-related communication quality with their parents and their peers. Based on a longitudinal design, we examine the influence of parent–adolescent and peer–adolescent communication quality (as perceived by the adolescents) on the relationship between the amount of Internet use and adolescents’ verbal aggression.

Internet use brings about opportunities and risks for adolescents. This study showed that Internet-related communication quality with parents and peers determine whether or not more time spent with the Internet is associated with increases in verbal aggression scores over time. Good Internet-related communication quality with parents appears to be a relevant predictor for a healthy development, particularly for adolescents who spend much of their time online.