Online Communication Attitudes as Predictors of Problematic Internet Use and Well-Being Outcomes

Abstract

This investigation involved testing a theoretical model whereby online communication attitudes (including self-disclosure, social connection, apprehension, convenience, and miscommunication) predict problematic Internet use and, in turn, poor well-being outcomes. The results generally supported the model with self-disclosure and social connection being predictive of compulsive Internet use and excessive Internet use. Apprehension emerged as a significant predictor of compulsive Internet use, whereas convenience and miscommunication were predictive of excessive Internet use. Compulsive, but not excessive, Internet use was predictive of poor well-being outcomes. The data also suggest that compulsive Internet use mediates the relationship between online communication attitude and well-being.