DO SELF-PRESENTATION TACTICS MEDIATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-REGULATORY ORIENTATIONS AND PROBLEMATIC INTERNET USE?

Abstract

Problematic Internet use has been an important topic for researchers. Though, (problematic) Internet use is a motivated action, underlying motivations are largely unexamined. Therefore, in the current study, effects of self-regulatory orientations (i.e., promotion and prevention self-regulatory foci) with the mediating role of self-presentation tactics on problematic Internet use was examined on 225 university students who use the Internet mostly for social network sites (SNSs). Portrait Values Questionnaire was used to determine participants’ self-regulatory orientations (prevention focus and promotion focus). Self-Presentation Tactics Scale was used to determine the type of mainly used tactics (defensive and assertive) on SNSs. Problematic Internet Use Scale was used to determine the consequences of their Internet use. Results revealed that neither prevention focus, nor promotion focus orientations directly predict problematic Internet use. As expected, defensive self-presentation tactics mediate the relationship between promotion focus and problematic Internet use. Therefore, focusing on gains –rather than a loss- on the SNSs leads to more defensive self-presentation tactics which in turn leads to problematic Internet use.