Attachment theory 2.0: A network analysis of offline and online attachment dimensions, guilt, shame, and self-esteem and their differences between low and high internet users

Background: Attachment dimensions, guilt, shame, and self-esteem influence offline and online interactions. In addition, these psychological variables are involved in the amount of time an individual uses the Internet. Few studies have examined the associations between guilt, shame, self-esteem, and attachment dimensions related to friendships and romance in the offline and online contexts, and how these variables differ between low and high Internet Users (IU). The present study explored the associations between guilt, shame, self-esteem, and attachment dimensions related to offline and online relationships and assessed the differences between low and high IU on these psychological variables. Methods: 213 participants completed online self-report questionnaires. Results: Attachment dimensions correlated positively with corresponding dimensions across contexts. Guilt was negatively correlated with offline insecure attachment dimensions and positively with online avoidance. Shame proneness was positively correlated, and self-esteem negatively, with insecure attachment dimensions. High IU showed higher anxiety/ambivalence, lower avoidance, and guilt than low users. Avoidance was higher and anxiety/ambivalence was lower in online relationships. Conclusions: People would maintain the same attachment strategies in offline and online contexts. Guilt, shame, and self-esteem are differently associated with attachment dimensions in offline and online contexts. Lastly, IU showed differences in insecure attachment dimensions and guilt.