ABSTRACT

This study aims to investigate the effects of early maladaptive schemas on Instagram addiction, as a more specific, controversial, and new field, in terms of the four-factor model developed by Bach et al.

Participants over the age of 18 who have Instagram accounts were evaluated with the sociodemographic data form, Instagram Addiction Scale (IAS), Young Schema Scale - Short Form 3. Participants were divided into two groups according to their addiction scale scores; socio-demographic characteristics and early maladaptive schemas (according to the latest four-factor model) were compared. A multiple linear regression model was created to determine the factors predicting Instagram addiction.

The group with a high score on the Instagram Addiction Scale consisted of statistically significantly younger participants (t:4.44, p<.001) than the other group, the rate of being single was higher (X2=6.703, p=.010), Disconnection Rejection (t:-5.36, p<.001), Impaired Autonomy and Performance (t:-6.22, p<.001), Excessive Responsibility and Standards (t:-4.96, p <.001) and Impaired Limits (t:-5.30, p<.001) scales were found to have statistically significantly higher scores. In addition, age (β=-0.27, p=.004) and scores from Impaired Autonomy and Performance (β=0.39, p<.001) were found to have a statistically significant predictive effect on IAS scores in the linear regression model.

Instagram addiction has been shown to be associated with early maladaptive schemas. Thus, evaluation and understanding of the clients’ schemas and interventions for this are/become important in psychotherapy programs for individuals with Instagram addiction. Prospective studies with more participants are needed on Instagram addiction and other social network addictions.