“Alexithymia,Cognitive Distortion and internet Addiction: Moderating Role of Emotional Intelligence”

Abstract

Excessive engagement in online activities, also known as Internet addiction can have detrimental impacts on the mental, social, and physical well-being of individuals. This research work aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on internet addiction and alexithymia to provide insights that may inform the development of targeted interventions to support university students at risk of internet addiction. With emotional intelligence as the moderator and cognitive distortion as the mediator, the study investigated the effect of alexithymia on internet addiction. The approach of this cross-sectional design allowed researchers to investigate intricate interactions among several elements influencing internet addiction among university students in northern Indian areas. For data collection, the study created a thorough English 53-item questionnaire. Initially, 600 surveys were distributed, and 508 useable surveys were used. All the study hypotheses have received adequate support from empirical evidence, thus offering significant insights. This study supported a direct positive correlation between alexithymia and internet addiction. Also, the findings revealed a positive relationship between alexithymia and cognitive distortions which further leads to internet addiction. Moreover, moderation results show that emotional intelligence acts as a significant moderator in this relationship between alexithymia and internet addiction. The study has added a unique antecedent of cognitive distortion of internet addiction, which is currently under-researched in previous works. This research adds to the knowledge of alexithymia as not only a personality characteristic but also a variable that should be taken into account regarding constituent processes of the regulation of emotions.

Keywords

alexithymia personality theory mental & physical health internet addiction cognitive distortion emotional intelligence intelligence addiction disability and trauma

Introduction

Alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by difficulties identifying and describing emotions and a tendency to focus on external stimuli (Butera et al., 2023; Muir et al., 2024). It has been identified as a risk factor for various excessive behaviours, such as problematic substance use, compulsive buying, pathological gambling, and eating disorders (Luo et al., 2021, 2022; Nowakowski et al., 2013). Alexithymia has also been associated with the frequent and problematic use of the internet, commonly known as internet addiction, which is the uncontrollably obsessive use of the internet that results in deterioration in personal physical and mental health as well as academics (Di Carlo et al., 2024; Li et al., 2023; Liu et al., 2024). Internet addiction is characterized by an intense fixation on the internet and its various uses, resulting in adverse effects on people’s personal, social, and professional lives (Saqib & Amin, 2022, 2024; Young, 1998). Internet addiction can have detrimental impacts on the mental, social, and physical well-being of individuals, especially adolescents (Aboujade, 2010; Kuss et al., 2014; Pace et al., 2012; Saqib & Amin, 2022). These effects include sleep disturbances, anxiety, social isolation, depression, eye strain, low concentration and also poor academic performance (Amin & Khan, 2021; Orben et al., 2024; Saqib & Amin, 2024; Vannucci et al., 2020).

Developmental research repeatedly confirms that late adolescence is a crucial phase of life, characterized by widespread psychological suffering caused by the transition from adolescence to adulthood (Khurshid et al., 2024; Pace et al., 2012). Moreover, there exists significant data indicating that addictive behaviours that arise during late adolescence frequently persist throughout adulthood (Englund et al., 2013). Hence, it is imperative to examine whether there is a correlation between symptoms of internet addiction and traumatic experiences, as well as emotional dysregulation in late adolescence (Rossi et al., 2023; Schimmenti, 2017). Although research has shown a strong positive correlation between alexithymia and the intensity of internet addiction, some studies have shown the relationships as non-significant and inconclusive (Darabiyan et al., 2024; Liu et al., 2024; Skotalczyk et al., 2024). Also, the exact cause-and-effect relationship of the correlation remains uncertain due to the complex interaction of multiple other factors (Darabiyan et al., 2024). The relationship between alexithymia and internet-related disorders, including internet addiction, is intervened by several factors such as childhood maltreatment/traumatic experience, attachment disorders, poor self-concept/self-esteem, and dissociative experiences (Lyvers et al., 2021; De Berardis et al., 2009; Schimmenti et al., 2017).

Research has also revealed a need to explore more intervening factors between alexithymia and internet addiction to comprehend better the association and underlying mechanisms between the two variables (Darabiyan et al., 2024). For instance, cognitive distortion, another personality-related trait, has been linked to excessive behaviours. Like alexithymia, cognitive distortion has also been associated with IA. (Özparlak & Karakaya, 2022). Alexithymia refers to a lack of emotional self-awareness, while cognitive distortion refers to a thought pattern leading an individual to interpret reality inappropriately, often due to exaggeration or irrationality (Beck, 2001; Butera et al., 2023). Individuals with elevated levels of alexithymia exhibit a greater tendency towards cognitive distortion, leading to excessive behaviours (Cosenza et al., 2014; Fang & Chung, 2019). The findings on the extent to which alexithymia and cognitive distortion can be considered separate risk factors for excessive behaviours have been inconclusive due to scarce studies on the association among them (Fang, 2018; Fekih-Romdhane et al., 2024). Regarding other excessive behaviours, data indicates that they are primarily separate risk factors (Cosenza et al., 2014). Studies have also revealed that alexithymia increases deviant behaviours and cognitive biases, which further influence individuals’ emotional and outward worlds (Butera et al., 2023; Fang & Chung, 2019). Furthermore, cognitive biases can result in lower empathy, emotional and perceptive deficiencies, and general social isolation (Helvich et al., 2024; İlter & Ovayolu, 2022). Studies also reveal that cognitive distortion could significantly predict high online activity, especially in disordered internet overuse (Germani et al., 2023).

Moreover, scholars have also advocated that the framework involving antecedents (risk factors) of internet addiction needs to consider the shielding factors (Peng et al., 2019). Although defensive characteristics enhance resistance and lessen the possibility of online addiction, risk factors make individuals more susceptible to IA (Peng et al., 2019; Yudes et al., 2022). Research studies have revealed that defensive elements, including positive personality attributes, can help diminish adverse outcomes (Bahl et al., 2024; Peng et al., 2019). Hence, it becomes pertinent to investigate the research framework involving internet addiction from both protective and risk attributes. This study looks at the moderating role of emotional intelligence as an ability to handle emotions informed by logical explanations. It should be noted that in the presence of risk factors, young people may use emotional intelligence as a helpful personality attribute that may serve as a means of protection against vulnerabilities, leading to resilience building (Peng et al., 2019). Other studies have also found that EI can moderate stressful life events, such as developmental outcomes or subjective well-being, attenuating their relationship (Abdollahi et al., 2016).

The purpose of the current work is to examine the multifaceted associations between alexithymia, emotional intelligence, cognitive distortion, and internet addiction, focusing on university students. We aim to answer two primary questions: Among them, the following research questions were developed: (1) To what extent alexithymia, combined with cognitive distortion and emotional intelligence, is related to internet addiction in university students? The following hypotheses were formulated to answer these questions: (1) What is the relationship between alexithymia, cognitive distortion and internet addiction? (2) How can cognitive distortion intervene in the relationship between alexithymia and internet addiction? And (3) How does emotional intelligence, which can be considered a protective factor against internet addiction, moderate these relationships? Thus, the study uses validated questionnaires concerning alexithymia, cognitive distortion, internet addiction, and emotional intelligence to answer these questions. This study adds to the existing literature by extending risk and protective factors to explain the relationship between personality traits, cognitive processes, and online behaviours. This study aims to contribute to existing literature on internet addiction and guide how online addiction among university students can be reduced. By exploring this aspect of cognitive distortion and emotional intelligence, which are often overlooked, we try to explain how alexithymia causes internet addiction and thus fill some gaps in our understanding of this contemporary psychological condition.

Literature

Theoretical Framework

According to Cai et al. (2023) and Spada (2014), “problematic internet use” is underlined with the cognitive-behavioural perspectives. This perspective emphasizes the role of the “maladaptive cognitions” as the primary factor underlying problematic internet use. It highlights the importance of recognizing the fundamental processes involved in online addiction (Şenormancı et al., 2012). According to the cognitive-behavioural theory, alexithymia might predict internet addiction (Orsolini, 2020) with the mediatory role of factors such as cognitive distortion/biases among university students (Luo et al., 2022) and the interactive role of emotional intelligence as a protective personality characteristic (Malak, 2018; Peng et al., 2019). Alexithymia imparts ineffectiveness in communicating emotions, and the complexity of real-life relationships often makes it difficult for such students to control their emotions (Berardis et al., 2008; Morie & Ridout, 2018). Alexithymia-induced emotional difficulties may also result in a preference for digital interactions on internet platforms (Ciccarelli et al., 2021; Orsolini, 2020). Frequent online social interactions in the virtual environment compounded by lack of emotional control or regulation due to alexithymia may lead to pathological internet use (Amin & Khan, 2021; Özparlak & Karakaya, 2022). Cognitive distortion is an essential mediator in this relationship, which might be impacted by alexithymia. These distortions are best understood as distorted cognitive structures that can result in the wrong perception of stimuli in the outside world and the feelings inside a person (İlter & Ovayolu, 2022). For example, an individual with alexithymia could potentially amplify a social situation that did not go well and perceive this as a complete loss in terms of their social life (İlter & Ovayolu, 2022). This distorted view can worsen enhanced emotional discomfort and secluded loneliness, enhancing the internet’s allure as an escape (Avinaash & Lim, 2022; İlter & Ovayolu, 2022). These cognitive distortions become progressively ingrained and may form a negative loop regarding internet addiction, where an individual becomes more and more dependent on the internet to handle these arising emotional problems (Özparlak & Karakaya, 2022). Thus, it is necessary to examine the relationship between alexithymia and internet addiction through cognitive distortion.

Moreover, IA is described as the outcome of a dynamic interaction between risk and protective variables, as explained by the risk and protective factor framework proposed by Masten (2001). Therefore, the existence of protective factors can mitigate the detrimental effects of risk factors on IA. In this study, we sought to examine the moderating influence of emotional intelligence as prior studies have established that emotional intelligence can attenuate the connections between risk variables and positive outcomes (Abdollahi et al., 2016; Fu et al., 2020). Thus, the proposed moderating role of emotional intelligence implies its ability to prevent the resistant system from allowing the development of addictive behaviours. A student with high emotional intelligence, even when faced with the challenges of alexithymia, might also have the skills to manage the emotional landscape, which is well-developed.

Hypotheses Formulation

Alexithymia and Internet Addiction

Alexithymia is a collection of cognitive characteristics seen in specific individuals with psychosomatic diseases (Taylor, 2004). Each individual possesses a distinct characteristic, a combination of various qualities that vary in intensity (Taylor, 2004; Vingerhoets et al., 1995). Luminet et al. (2021) suggested that the construct consists of four components: difficulty in recognizing emotions (DIF), difficulty in expressing emotions (DDF), externally focused thinking (EOT), and lack of imagination/difficulty in fantasizing (DFAN). Internet addiction is characterized by an intense fixation on the internet and its various uses, resulting in adverse effects on people’s personal, social, and professional lives (Young, 1998). Excessive engagement in online activities, also known as internet addiction or problematic internet use, can have detrimental impacts on the mental, social, and physical well-being of individuals (Aboujade, 2010; Kuss et al., 2014; Dalbudak et al., 2013). Lyvers et al. (2021) and Schimmenti et al. (2017) discovered that individuals with internet addiction had greater levels of alexithymia compared to those without internet addiction. Furthermore, they observed a strong and statistically significant positive relationship between internet addiction and alexithymia. Proposed as a major predisposing factor for internet addiction by Mahapatra and Sharma (2018) and Wachs et al. (2020), alexithymia is still unknown, though particular components might affect this link. Furthermore, despite the high incidence of internet addiction in Asian nations, the association between internet addiction and this particular aspect has only been examined in Western countries (Cheng & Li, 2014; Mahapatra & Sharma, 2018). Asian students exhibit elevated levels of alexithymia compared to Western students, perhaps due to cultural disparities (Dere et al., 2022). Hence, it is imperative to broaden the scope of research on Asian populations and delve into cross-cultural comparative studies.

Alexithymia and Cognitive Distortion

Research has shown that alexithymia is associated with increased deviant behaviours and cognitive biases that resemble those observed in excessive behaviours (Fang & Chung, 2019). Alexithymia has the potential to impact both the emotional and external realms of individuals since it can be seen as a distortion of their vision of the environment. People who have high levels of alexithymia are more likely to engage in cognitive distortion (Fang & Chung, 2019). Alexithymia has also influenced negative affect biases (Avinaash & Lim, 2022; İlter & Ovayolu, 2022). This bias translates to problems recognizing affection, treating feelings in oneself and others, and even a lack of empathy and avoiding social contact (Avinaash & Lim, 2022; İlter & Ovayolu, 2022). According to such rationale, alexithymia results in various affective or cognitive changes, from how people recall and describe the history of emotions to how they understand and manage their feelings (Fang & Chung, 2019). Moreover, in other studies, the risk linked to alexithymia was assigned to cognitive distortions (Shishido et al., 2013).

Cognitive Distortion and Internet Addiction

Cognitive distortions and erroneous perceptions of oneself and the environment are responsible for conforming to dysfunctional schemes (Beck, 2001). Problematic internet use is associated with cognitive distortions, where individuals seek risk-free positive responses from others on the internet (Şenormancı et al., 2012). Young (1998) states that individuals with addiction exhibit cognitive distortions, such as engaging in catastrophic thinking without a logical basis. These individuals also attempt to evade these distortions’ actual or imagined repercussions, contributing to their compulsive internet use (Özparlak & Karakaya, 2022). According to Whisman and Friedman (1998), interpersonal cognitive distortions can create difficulties in interpersonal relationships and cause individuals to avoid interacting with others.

The Mediating Role of Cognitive Distortion

Alexithymia adversely affects the efficiency of memory and difficulties facing them when it comes to the memory of the emotions linked to specific periods of their lives, which results in inaccuracies and distortion of memories (Morie & Ridout, 2018). This deficiency in memory and executive functions may lead to distortion in what these people recall and a relative tendency towards negative reappraisal (Morie & Ridout, 2018; Özparlak & Karakaya, 2022). High alexithymia levels increase cognitive distortion (Fang & Chung, 2019). Moreover, it has been shown that cognitive distortion is associated with a higher incidence of problematic behaviours, including the internet (Su Topbaş et al., 2024). IA. is linked to cognitive distortion, similar to alexithymia (Özparlak & Karakaya, 2022). Cognitive distortion may also result from excessive online activity and significantly disordered internet overuse (Germani et al., 2023; Sireli et al., 2023).

Moderating the Role of Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EI) is a form of social intelligence that encompasses the capacity to observe and differentiate one’s emotions from others and utilize this knowledge to direct one’s thoughts and behaviours (Peng et al., 2019; Salovey & Mayer, 1990). In literature, there are two major traditions of EI: ability EI and trait EI (Mayer et al., 2024). Although both are related and have similar meanings, there are specific differences in how they are assessed and their theoretical context (Zadorozhny et al., 2024). The ability to have emotional intelligence is the cognitive-emotional skill that includes perceiving, using, understanding, and managing emotions (Zadorozhny et al., 2024). Trait emotional intelligence is a set of appraisals of one’s emotions working at low levels of personality organization (Mayer et al., 2024; Zadorozhny et al., 2024). In this study, emotional intelligence is envisioned not as a trait but an ability. This is why the definition used in the present study is ability emotional intelligence, which refers to the capability to identify, appraise, and manage emotion effectively (Llamas-Díaz et al., 2023; Louwen et al., 2023). It is worth mentioning that the choice of the definition of emotional intelligence as an ability corresponds to the models that view it as a type of cognitive capacity which can be assessed based on how well the respondents performed specific tasks, leading to improved performance (Llamas-Díaz et al., 2023).

Adolescents with high emotional intelligence possess many emotions management techniques and are more inclined to select effective methods than adolescents with poor emotional intelligence (Côté et al., 2011; Resurrección et al., 2014). Therefore, individuals who possess a high level of emotional intelligence are better able to control their emotions when faced with difficulties and are less inclined than those with low emotional intelligence to turn to external sources, such as the internet, to relieve negative emotions (Khoshakhlagh & Faramarzi, 2012; Kun & Demetrovics, 2010). Previous studies have established the primary impact of emotional intelligence on IA, as evidenced by the research (Kun & Demetrovics, 2010; Yanesari et al., 2010). Yanesari et al. (2010) discovered a negative correlation between higher levels of emotional intelligence and lower levels of IA. In addition to the primary impact of emotional intelligence, there is proof that emotional intelligence (or related concepts) combined with risk variables (such as stressful life experiences) can be used to forecast IA in teenagers. As per Masten (2001) and Peng et al. (2019) risk and protective factor framework describes IA as a dynamic interaction between risk and protective variables. Thus, protective variables can reduce the negative consequences of risk factors on internet addiction. We examined the moderating effect of emotional intelligence because prior studies have shown that it can reduce the link between risk variables and positive outcomes.

Hypotheses

H1: Alexithymia may have an influence on internet addiction.

From a psychological standpoint, individuals with higher alexithymia are more prone to have problems using the internet.

H2: Alexithymia may have an influence on cognitive distortion.

From a psychological standpoint, cognitive distortions are highly likely to be evident where alexithymia is highly present.

H3: Cognitive distortion may have an influence on internet addiction.

From a psychological standpoint, people with higher levels of cognitive distortions are more vulnerable to developing internet addiction.

H4: Cognitive distortion mediates the association between alexithymia and internet addiction.

From a psychological standpoint, cognitive distortions help to explain how alexithymia causes internet addiction.

H5: Emotional intelligence moderates the association between alexithymia and internet addiction.

From a psychological standpoint, emotional intelligence helps to offset alexithymia’s influence on internet addiction, possibly reducing the link.

Methodology

Design

This cross-sectional and causal design approach allowed researchers to investigate interactions among several elements influencing internet addiction among university students in the North Indian Region (National Capital Region). The cross-sectional and causal design makes it possible to examine the correlation and the causality between alexithymia, cognitive distortions, emotional intelligence and internet addiction in university students. With emotional intelligence as the moderator and cognitive distortion as the mediator, the study investigated the effect of alexithymia on internet addiction.

Participants

This study was conducted on university students in three private and three public universities in the Northern Indian Region. An extensive written informed consent form with information on the study, including its rationale, methods, and participants’ rights—including removal from the study at any point without cause—was provided to each participant. The responses were coded, and the data was protected to guarantee the anonymity of the participants and to stop the disclosure of any participant’s identity. Given this, it is essential to underline that the research lacked human intervention. The questions asked were not hostile, and where needed, participants received assistance. The participants did not receive any financial compensation for filling out the questionnaire.

Sampling and Sample Size

The available and eager students were approached using the judging sampling method to participate in the survey. The judgement sampling technique was applied to guarantee a wide survey distribution and participant sharing. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse this study, requiring a minimum sample size of 300. Initially, 600 questionnaires were distributed, and the researchers got 559 responses. They followed a careful data-cleaning process that guaranteed the quality and dependability of the data. At last, 508 useable surveys were acquired. Data collection took place from March 2024 to April 2024.

Measures

For data collection, the study created a thorough English 53-item questionnaire. A psychologist and a subject matter research specialist evaluated the questionnaire for content validity (Montenegro-Rueda & Fernández-Batanero, 2024). By applying well-standardized questionnaires, the actual assessment of the four tested constructs, namely, alexithymia, cognitive distortion, emotional intelligence, and internet addiction, is suitable.

For measuring alexithymia, TAS-20, or Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the most used self-report index for alexithymia, was used (Bagby, Parker, & Taylor, 1994; Bagby, Taylor, & Parker, 1994). The twenty items cover the three aspects of alexithymia (Cronbach’s alpha score of 0.71): externally oriented thinking (7 items- “I prefer to analyze problems rather than just describe them”), trouble describing feelings (7 items-“It is difficult for me to find the right words for my feelings”), and difficulty recognizing feelings (5 items-“I am often confused about what emotion I am feeling”). This work used the Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha score of 0.78), which included five items (e.g., “I predict the future in negative terms and believe that what will happen will be so awful that I will not be able to stand it”) from the study of Morrison et al. (2022). Emotional intelligence scale (Cronbach’s alpha score of 0.69): with five dimensions (appraisal of own emotions-“I easily recognize my emotions as I experience them”, appraisal of other’s emotions-“I can tell how people are feeling by listening to the tone of their voice”, regulation of own emotions-“I have control over my emotions”, regulation of other’s emotions and utilization of emotions-“I help other people feel better when they are down” and utilization of emotions-“When I am in a positive mood, I am able to come up with new ideas”) with two items each was adapted from the work of Davies et al. (2010). The internet Addiction Scale (Cronbach’s alpha score of 0.66), which was adapted from the work of Bai and Fan (2005), was used to quantify internet addiction. It included four dimensions and a total of 19 items: The symptoms of internet addiction include compulsive internet use and withdrawal (six items- “Irrespective of how tired I am, I always feel energetic when I surf the internet”), tolerance (4 items- “I find myself spending an increasing amount of time on the internet”), interpersonal and health-related problems (5 items- “I have been told more than once that I spend too much time online”), and time management issues (4 items- “Because of the internet, my leisure time has been reduced”). Cronbach’s alpha scores on all scales were above 0.60, ensuring their reliability in this work.

Software

AMOS (analysis of moment structure) 25.0 and SPSS 25.0 software packages were used in this work to conduct the analysis.

Data Techniques

The use of regression analysis in this work by applying SEM (structural equation modelling) enabled the researchers to test several variables simultaneously and their relationships on a given model. This makes it easier to determine the cohesiveness and importance of every pathway in influencing internet addiction. Through such a procedure, the study evaluated its hypotheses and responded to the research question related to the ability of alexithymia, cognitive distortion, and EI to predict IA. If the SEM analysis indicates that the relations between the variables proposed in this study are statistically significant, then this research question will be considered answered. In particular, the following will be confirmed when the data fits the hypothesis that cognitive distortion is a mediator between alexithymia and internet addiction, while emotional intelligence is a moderator: the study’s aims will be achieved. These findings will be explained with reference to the fit indices of the model and the regressions-coefficients of the pathways between the variables. When the model fit is adequate, and the pathways are significant, the research question will have been answered in a way that gives direction on the psychological factors that lead to internet addiction among university students.

Data Analysis

Using SEM (structure equation modelling), regression analysis was utilized to evaluate the relationship between the factors investigated in the study. Beginning with exploratory factor analysis to investigate variable structures and validate the factor loadings, two-step structural equation modelling was used. Following exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) evaluates the measurement model; the scale is assessed for validity and dependability (Hair et al., 2020). Path analysis or structural model is the penultimate stage in assessing the links between elements and empirically validating the hypotheses. Model fit indices—goodness of fit indices, badness of fit indices, etc.—help one evaluate the measuring and structural models. Direct hypotheses developed in the study were evaluated using path analysis. Mediation and moderation studies were conducted to evaluate the mediating and moderating interactions.

Participant Profile

Table 1 shows the respondent’s profile.

Table 1.

Respondent’s Profile (508).

Category	Subcategory	Frequency	Percentage (%)
Gender	Male	291	57.3
Gender	Female	217	42.7
Internet duration	Less than 1 hour/day	61	12.0
	1–2 hours/day	139	27.4
	2–4 hours/day	211	41.5
	More than 4 hours/day	97	19.1
Age	18–20 years	159	31.3
	21–23 years	231	45.5
	24–26 years	118	23.2
Faculty	Science	141	27.8
	Arts	119	23.4
	Commerce	111	21.9
	Engineering	137	27.0
Others	Urban	319	62.8
Others	Rural	189	37.2
Digital device ownership	Owns a smartphone	471	92.7
	Owns a laptop	309	60.8
	Owns a tablet	91	17.9
Internet access	Home Wi-Fi	119	23.4
Internet access	Mobile data	389	76.6

Source: The authors.

Measurement Model

A measurement model (Figure 1) was constructed using CFA (confirmatory factor analysis).

Figure 1.

Measurement model. Note: ALT- Alexithymia; EOT-externally oriented thinking; DIF-difficulty identifying feelings, DDF-difficulty describing feelings; CD-Cognitive Distortions; EI-Emotional intelligence; AOW-appraisal of own emotions; AOT-appraisal of other’s emotions; ROE- regulation of own emotions, ROT-regulation of other’s emotions; UOE-utilization of emotions; IA-The internet Addiction Scale; CW- compulsive internet use and withdrawal; TL-tolerance; IH-interpersonal and health-related problems and TM-time management issues. Source: The authors.

Model fit indices produced by CFA were used to evaluate the suitability of the measurement model in order to determine whether the data accurately reflects the intended theoretical concept (Figure 1). The indices, which are CMIN/DF (3.64), NFI (0.920), GFI (0.912), TLI (0.931), and RMSEA (0.061), reasonably match, according to the study’s findings.

Reliability and Validity

The results are dependable because all constructs have composite reliability values higher than 0.60 (Cheung et al., 2024; Fornell & Larcker, 1981). Strong convergent validity is shown by the factor loadings and AVE values for every construct above the corresponding thresholds of 0.50, respectively (Cheung et al., 2024; Fornell & Larcker, 1981). Table 2 clearly shows discriminant validity validation since the average variance extracted (AVE) for every factor exceeds the squared value of the inter-correlation coefficient between the factors (Anderson & Gerbing, 1988; Cheung et al., 2024). Composite reliability ratings over 0.60 (Table 2) for all constructions demonstrate the dependability of the investigation (Cheung et al., 2024; Fornell & Larcker, 1981).

Table 2.

Discriminant Validity.

Factors	CR	AVE	EI	CD	ALT	IA
EI	0.904	0.655	0.809
CD	0.923	0.705	0.391	0.839
ALT	0.855	0.663	0.322	0.718	0.814
IA	0.850	0.587	0.412	0.461	0.378	0.766

Note 1: ALT- Alexithymia; CD-Cognitive Distortions; EI-Emotional intelligence; IA-The internet Addiction.

Note 2: The values in the above matrix’s diagonal are the AVE’s square root.

Source: The authors.

Results & Findings

Structural Model

Model fit indices were used to evaluate the suitability of the structural model. The indices, which are CMIN/DF (3.75), NFI (0.927), GFI (0.909), TLI (0.934), and RMSEA (0.064), reasonably match, according to the study’s findings.

Path Analysis (Direct Relationships)

The path analysis findings—structural model—confirm the first three research hypotheses. With (b = 0.35, p = .017, R² = 0.27), Alexithymia favourably and significantly influences internet addiction. Thus, the first hypothesis—H1: Alexithymia may have an influence on internet addiction —is validated. From a psychological standpoint, individuals with higher alexithymia are more prone to have problems using the internet.

With (b = 0.28, p = .037, R² = 0.21), Alexithymia favourably and significantly influences cognitive distortion. Thus, the second hypothesis— H2: Alexithymia may have an influence on cognitive distortion —is validated. From a psychological standpoint, cognitive distortions are highly likely to be evident where alexithymia is highly present.

Furthermore, cognitive distortion (b = 0.32, p = .032, R² = 0.25) has a positive and substantial connection with internet addiction. Therefore, it is agreed that the third hypothesis—i.e., H3: Cognitive distortion may have an influence on internet addiction. From a psychological standpoint, people with higher levels of cognitive distortions are more vulnerable to developing internet addiction.

Mediation

The bootstrapping technique with 5000 resamples was used in the mediation analysis to fully evaluate the mediation model using SPSS 25 (Igartua & Hayes, 2021). The fourth hypothesis suggested that cognitive distortion mediates the association between alexithymia and internet addiction. The indirect effect value of (0.19%) and statistically significant with a lower limit confidence interval (LLCI) of 0.09 and an upper limit (ULI) of 0.17 verified the hypothesis (H4: Cognitive distortion mediates the association between alexithymia and internet addiction.). The null of zero is not within the range of the lower and higher boundaries of the confidence interval (Igartua & Hayes, 2021), so the results confirm the mediation. From a psychological standpoint, cognitive distortions help to explain how alexithymia causes internet addiction.

Moderation

With an estimated interaction effect of −0.25 between the moderating variable and predictor variable on the outcome variable (Table 3), the data shows a negative moderation effect of emotional intelligence between alexithymia and internet addiction. Thus, the fourth hypothesis, H5: Emotional intelligence moderates the association between alexithymia and internet addiction, is supported. From a psychological standpoint, emotional intelligence helps to offset alexithymia’s influence on internet addiction, possibly reducing the link.

Table 3.

Moderating Relationships.

Relationships	Estimate	CR.	p
ZIA < --- ZALT	0.19	3.22	0.032*
ZIA < --- ZINT	−0.25	4.87	0.041*
ZIA < --- ZEI	−0.22	5.56	0.017*

Note: ZIA—standardized internet addiction; ZEI—standardized emotional intelligence; ZINT—standardized interaction between alexithymia and emotional intelligence; ZALT—standardized alexithymia.

Source: The authors.

Discussions

The present study intended to investigate the direct and indirect effects of alexithymia on internet addiction, concentrating on university students in India; moreover, cognitive distortion and emotional intelligence were examined separately concerning mediation and moderation, respectively. All the study hypotheses have received adequate support from empirical evidence, thus offering significant insights. Alexithymia and cognitive distortion have been identified as factors that increase the risk of excessive or problematic internet usage, including internet addiction, as in previous research (Luo et al., 2022; Mahapatra & Sharma, 2018; Schimmenti et al., 2017).

This study supported a direct positive correlation between alexithymia and internet addiction. Alexithymia can also be defined as a manner of thinking in which there is a lack of awareness and emotional sensitivity. In the current study, it was found that university students who had higher levels of alexithymia spent more time on internet addiction (Baysan-Arslan et al., 2016). One possible reason is that, due to alexithymia, some may feel the inability to describe emotions, so they remain in the world of virtual reality where they do not have to express their emotions or can do it in a way, they feel most comfortable with (Baysan-Arslan et al., 2016; Mahapatra & Sharma, 2018). This finding supports the displacement hypothesis, which postulates that persons whose capacities for emotional experience may be impoverished seek to substitute the lack of ‘real’ emotional connection with virtual interaction (Beck, 2001; Jin et al., 2023). Also, the findings revealed a positive relationship between alexithymia and cognitive distortions among university students. Cognitive distortions are thought to be perceptual, logical, or illogical thought patterns that can warp reality, resulting in maladaptive beliefs (Cosenza et al., 2014).

Also, cognitive distortion affirmatively impacts internet addiction in university students based on the results. Overactive maladaptive cognitive tendencies such as overstretching can intensify emotions of anxiety and transform them into personal issues or disasters (Ciccarelli et al., 2021). The fact that alexithymia shows itself when people have to think raises questions since prolonging these cognitive distortions could aggravate stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms (Ciccarelli et al., 2021; Fang & Chung, 2019). Therefore, understanding and evaluating the degree of internet addiction—which is defined as a way of seeing and interpreting events in a distorted manner—is primarily dependent on cognitive distortion. This association can be ascribed to the notion that university students use the internet, in tandem with one another, to avoid unpleasant emotions and ideas (Fang & Chung, 2019). Students who try to cope with their psychological problems by employing online activities may develop obsessive internet behaviour.

Furthermore, revealed by the results is the cognitive distortion involved in the transition from alexithymia to internet addiction. This implies that individuals with alexithymia, which is a condition that results in an inability to understand feelings accurately, appear to be more susceptible to the formation of maladaptive thought patterns. Based on grossly biased and unreasonable perceptions of reality, these maladaptive beliefs may increase emotional and psychological symptoms (Mahapatra & Sharma, 2018). Thus, these cognitive distortions may cause maladaptive behaviours, which can be potentially risky, e.g., compulsive internet use. Internet usage helps individuals instantly, but only fleetingly, distract away from the distress that such cognitive distortions might bring. In the long run, they may transform into internet addiction because most of them tend to rely on internet use to help them avoid confrontation of their emotional and cognitive issues.

Moreover, moderation results show that emotional intelligence acts as a significant moderator in this relationship between alexithymia and internet addiction. Emotional intelligence is the capacity to recognize, understand, and regulate one’s own and other people’s feelings (Yudes et al., 2022). Therefore, individuals with high emotions are capable of recognizing when their perspective is distorted and taking appropriate action to rectify it, thus averting the possibility of cognitive distortion and subsequent internet addiction (Peng et al., 2019). Additionally, having a high EI also serves as a safeguard, helping individuals cope with emotional difficulties and lowering their chance of developing mental health issues brought on by alexithymia (Peng et al., 2019). Individuals who possess good effect or high levels of self-regulation, for example, might substitute other adaptive coping strategies, such as asking for social support or using problem-solving techniques, for unhealthy internet-related behaviours like internally focused coping patterns (Peng et al., 2019; Yudes et al., 2022).

Implications

The most significant thing that emerged from this work was that internet addiction was influenced by alexithymia and cognitive distortions. The research has found a novel determinant of internet addiction as cognitive distortion, whose investigation was limited in previous works. The work has also revealed the mediating role of cognitive distortion between complex pathways between alexithymia and internet addiction. In addition, the moderative role of emotional intelligence as a protective factor in the research framework is another contribution to the literature on the antecedent of internet addiction. This research adds to the knowledge of alexithymia as not only a personality characteristic but also a variable that should be taken into account regarding constituent processes of the regulation of emotions. These theoretical factors apply to such problems as creating preventative campaigns and identifying particular areas for intervention with at-risk people. Therefore, stressing the mediating and moderating elements of the association between alexithymia and internet addictions, different treatments could be developed to improve the control of emotion, control the time spent using the internet, and increase physical activity among university students.

Specific strategic interventions in an attempt to mitigate internet addiction can and should centre on addressing alexithymia and cognitive distortions. Targeting maladaptive thoughts and cognitive biases is crucial if we want to address the underlying mechanisms of how alexithymia is connected to internet addiction. One such strategy is to employ cognitive behavioural therapy to target dysfunctional thought patterns that trigger or sustain unpleasant mood states. This process helps reduce reliance on maladaptive coping mechanisms, such as engaging in excessive behaviours like internet Addiction. Positive behavioural change can also be encouraged by behavioural and cognitive modification strategies that enable emotional flexibility among the students to help them cope with challenges or avoid relying on the internet to handle difficult situations. In addition, improving the level of emotional intelligence in university students can act as a shield that ensures better control and moderation of their emotions, thus decreasing the likelihood of the appearance of maladaptive behaviours. For instance, students with high EI may presume appropriate and healthy ways of coping, such as searching for support from friends or finding a solution rather than using the internet in vain. Such rationale means that initiatives to increase emotional quotient could help decrease cognitive distortions and internet dependency among students. Some courses can be introduced in an organization, university in particular, to curb internet addictions, increase the levels of emotional intelligence, and thus train students in their ability to deal with emotions. For this reason, educational institutions can include sections or units on social-emotional learning and internet safety to make students aware of potential harm posed by the excessive use of the internet and the need to take care of their emotional well-being (Amin & Khan, 2021; Saqib & Amin, 2022; 2024).

Limitations and Future Research

The findings of this study may only apply to some of the broader population of young adults, and the current data is cross-sectional. Longitudinal studies have shown that alexithymia is a stable trait that appears early in life and can predict the development or recurrence of alcohol-related issues. Therefore, conducting further studies on these concerns is advisable using a longitudinal method. Future research should include a larger sample of participants to investigate the effect of alexithymia on IA in individuals of different demographic groups.

Footnotes

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Funding

The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Ethical Statement

ORCID iD

Faseeh Amin

Data Availability Statement

The authors do not have the permission to share the data collected in this study.*

Author Biographies

Ms. Regina Bahl is a Ph.D. Research Scholar in the Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences of Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University. She has received a Bachelor degree in Psychology in 2019 and Master of Science in clinical psychology in 2021 from Manipal University Jaipur. Her research interest area is Health Psychology and Individual and Spiritual Psychology.

Dr. Shubhangi Gupta is a dedicated academic and researcher in the field of Health Psychology. She earned her Ph.D. from Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar, in 2018, after completing her M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology from Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar. With a solid foundation in psychology. Her research contributions are significant, with ten publications in SCOPUS-indexed, UGC-listed, and peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Gupta has actively engaged in academic discourse, presenting her findings at twenty conferences, six seminars, and conducting seven workshops focused on stress management and related topics. She has served as the coordinator of community outreach activities in the Department of Clinical Psychology, addressing pressing issues such as absenteeism and domestic violence in rural Haryana. Notably, she has organized mind management and yoga camps during her postgraduate internship in West Bengal.

Prof. (Dr.) Kamini Tanwar is a distinguished professor of Psychology at the Amity Institute of Behavioural and Allied Sciences (AIBAS), Amity University Haryana. She holds a Ph.D. in Health Psychology and is qualified with a UGC-NET and a certificate in Guidance. With over four years of teaching and research experience, Dr. Tanwar has made significant contributions to her field. She has published ten research papers in reputable SCOPUS-indexed, UGC-listed, and peer-reviewed journals. A passionate educator, she has presented her work at twenty conferences and six seminars while conducting seven workshops focused on stress management and other critical psychological topics. Her research interests primarily include health psychology, positive psychology, and the psychosocial implications of well-being.

Prof. (Dr.) Mushtaq Ahmad Darzi serves as a professor in the Department of Management Studies and is the Dean, School of Business Studies at the University of Kashmir. He earned his Ph.D. in Management from the University of Kashmir, where his research focused on project appraisal practices in development banks. Dr. Darzi has a wealth of experience in teaching, with a career spanning over three decades, including various administrative roles. He has actively contributed to academic discourse through presentations at numerous national and international conferences and seminars. A respected figure in management education, he is dedicated to achieving excellence in teaching, research, and administration, while also serving as a visiting faculty member at several prestigious institutions across India.

Dr. Shabana Khurshid is a dedicated researcher and academic with a strong focus on social work, sociology, and psychology. She holds a PhD in Social Work from the University of Kashmir and an M.Phil in the same field. Additionally, she has qualified the UGC NET in Social Work and earned her Master’s degree from the University of Kashmir, where she began her academic journey after graduating from Shri Pratap College, Srinagar. Currently, Dr. Khurshid is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR). Her research interests encompass women, children, social welfare, lifelong learning, rural development, and community work. She is also an academic counselor for the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). Dr. Khurshid is a passionate child rights activist, having collaborated on numerous research projects with reputable NGOs. She has served as a resource person, providing expertise on Child Rights and Child Development. Her role as Regional Coordinator at the valley-based development organization Koshish, funded by CRY, New Delhi, and as Project Coordinator for lifelong learning at the University of Kashmir highlights her commitment to community engagement.

Dr. Faseeh Amin is a distinguished researcher and academic specializing in management, with a focus on digital marketing, econometrics, and data analysis. He earned his PhD in Management from the Central University of Kashmir, where he developed expertise in time series forecasting, panel data analysis, and consumer behavior research. His professional experience includes a notable role as a Research Associate in an ICSSR project, where he evaluated the impact of the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) on communities in the Kashmir region. Dr. Amin's substantial research background includes a two-year tenure as a Project Technical Officer at the University of Kashmir, where he contributed to an ICMR-funded project investigating the social determinants affecting health outcomes in rural Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. His adaptability and commitment to addressing pressing societal issues were further demonstrated during his previous role as a Research Associate, where he developed measures for social media addiction. With a strong foundation in econometrics and both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, Dr. Amin has authored thirty-five research papers published in prestigious national and international journals.

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