Problematic Internet use and intrapersonal and interpersonal attitudes in adolescents

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to look for connections between self-esteem, interpersonal relations, the world and life image and the intensification of problematic Internet use, taking into consideration differences resulting from gender. Another aim is to determine predictors connected with problematic Internet use in the group of female and male youth. 270 high-school students were initially examined; however, further analysis covered 260 of them, i.e. 142 females and 118 males. The Problematic Internet Use Test (Test Problematycznego Używania Internetu; TPUI22) and the Questionnaire of Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Attitudes and Attitudes Towards the World (Kwestionariusz Nastawień Intrapersonalnych, Interpersonalnych i Nastawień wobec Świat; KNIIŚ). On the basis of the conducted analyses, statistically significant differences were found in the scope of self-esteem, convictions about intrapersonal relations and the experience of the world and life in persons with various intensification of problematic Internet use. Furthermore, different predictors were found in terms of addictive use of the Internet in the groups of female and male students. Thus, for female students it was self-esteem in the field of character, and for male students it was the self-esteem in the social and moral sphere. There were no inter-gender differences in terms of problematic Internet use or the number of hours spent online weekly. The obtained results are in line with the previous reports from other studies on the problematic Internet use. Furthermore, they broaden this viewpoint with a possible new variables connected with this type of addictive behaviour. They also point to possible determinants of problematic Internet use in the group of high-school students. Therefore, they can contribute to a better understanding of causes for this type of behaviour in this age group. There is also hope that the obtained results will contribute to a more effective planning of preventive treatment aimed at high-school students.