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

摘要: 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.