The Mediating Role of Metacognition in the Relationship between Internet Addiction and General Health

Abstract

Background: Internet addiction is one of the harmful effects of the Internet. The findings of several <br><br>studies have indicated a relationship between general health and Internet addiction. Metacognition, <br><br>which includes the knowledge, processes, and strategies to evaluate, and monitor or control the cogni-<br><br>tion, can play a significant role in this regard. The present research aimed to assess the mediating role <br><br>of metacognitive variables in the relationship between Internet addiction and general health. <br><br>Methods: This correlational study included 94 male and female users with different nationalities at <br><br>Internet cafés in Abu Dhabi (the United Arab Emirates). All subjects aged at least 18 years and were <br><br>proficient in English. The research tools included the General Health Questionnaire (with a reliability <br><br>of 0.89), Metacognition Questionnaire (with a reliability of 0.82), and Kimberly Young\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Internet Ad-<br><br>diction Test (with a reliability of 0.88). The hypothesis was tested applying SPSS18 and Amos18. <br><br>Findings: The results indicated a significant positive relationship between all aspects of metacognition <br><br>and Internet addiction (r = 0.30; P &lt; 0.01). A significant positive relationship was also observed be-<br><br>tween Internet addiction and general health (r = 0.47; P &lt; 0.01). Path analysis revealed the mediating <br><br>role of metacognition in the relationship between low general health and Internet addiction. Among <br><br>the metacognitive variables, the mind control had the highest correlation coefficient (r = 0.80). <br><br>Conclusion: The Internet and digital technologies have caused unwanted and negative effects which <br><br>are classified as emerging damages. The relationship between Internet addiction and general health <br><br>has been confirmed in this research. In addition, metacognitive processes can have a positive and me-<br><br>diating role on this relationship.