An Object Hiding Behind the Screen: The Relationship Between Body Surveillance and Internet Addiction Among Chinese...

Women often monitor their bodies to meet societal standards of beauty. However, researchers have yet to test how this tendency may be associated with various psychological problems, especially those related to computer and Internet usage. In the current study, we examined whether body surveillance may predict Internet addiction and whether appearance anxiety and self-control may account for the proposed link. A total of 448 Chinese female undergraduates in Hong Kong completed validated measures assessing body surveillance, appearance anxiety, self-control, and Internet addiction. Regression analyses revealed that body surveillance was positively associated with appearance anxiety and Internet addiction and was negatively associated with self-control. Moreover, structural equation modeling and Monte Carlo simulation showed that the relationship between body surveillance and Internet addiction was serially mediated by appearance anxiety and self-control. These findings advance current theories and knowledge by demonstrating that body surveillance may predict Internet addiction and unveil the underlying psychological mechanisms. Finally, we discuss implications for theories of body surveillance and Internet addiction and implications for educators and practitioners in the hopes of enhancing women's health regarding body surveillance and Internet addiction, as well as their well-being.