the relationship between the internet addiction and students’ social self-efficacy, identity styles and gender differences

background: despite all the positive features of the internet, there are serious concerns about the use and effects of this technology on human mental health. this study aimed to determine the relationship between the internet addiction and students’ social self-efficacy, identity styles and gender differences. methods: in a descriptive-correlational study, 200 undergraduate and graduate students at kharazmi university, iran, were selected using convenience sampling method. they completed young’s internet addiction test, smith and betz’s social self-efficacy questionnaire and berzonsky’s identity styles questionnaire. data were analyzed using independent t, anova, pearson correlation and multivariate regression analysis statistical tests via spss software. findings : internet addiction showed negative correlation with social self-efficacy (p < 0.050) and informational and normative identity styles (p < 0.010) and positively correlated with diffuse-avoidant identity style (p < 0.050). there were gender differences in the effective use of the internet and the rate was higher among the boys (p < 0.010). in addition, these variables explained 23% of the total variance of internet addiction (p < 0.010). conclusion: cyber space is very attractive and interesting and especially adolescents and young people more likely opt to use it. so, parents and educators should pay more attention to adolescents’ mental and social growth. by providing appropriate training methods, they can provide appropriate setting of growth and development for their children to enjoy a healthy life.