Abstract
ObjectiveAlthough Problematic Internet Use (PIU) is an emerging area of study in psychology, little is known about the unique features of specific subgroups of internet users and their psychosocial vulnerabilities within robust and nationwide populations.MethodsThe aim of this study was to identify distinct latent groups of internet users based on their PIU risk and to compare their psychosocial outcomes. To achieve this, a nationally representative sample of adolescents of the same grade (N = 1,066, Meanage = 13.46 years, range = 12–16) was recruited from several schools in Slovenia through stratified random sampling.ResultsA Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) revealed a two-class solution, with Class 1 (n = 853, 80%) featuring ‘low PIU risk’ participants and Class 2 (n = 213, 20%) including ‘high PIU risk’ participants. Behaviorally, the main feature of Class 1 denoted ‘time management difficulties’ while Class 2 was best characterized by ‘mood and time management issues’. Further frequentist and Bayesian analyses indicated that Class 2 presented greater psychosocial risk compared to Class 1 due to significantly higher levels of PIU (generalized and across specific PIU subfactors) coupled with lower levels of subjective well-being and self-control.ConclusionsContrary to what was initially envisaged, the two classes did not differ in terms of perceived quality in parent-child relationship. This study shows that PIU patterns and symptom-severity may be developmentally specific, further highlighting the need for clinically age-adjusted PIU screening practices within epidemiological and healthcare settings.
Highlights
The latest statistics suggest that approximately 4.66 billion individuals worldwide actively use the internet, representing a total global penetration rate of 59% [1]
Further frequentist and Bayesian analyses indicated that Class 2 presented greater psychosocial risk compared to Class 1 due to significantly higher levels of Problematic Internet Use (PIU) coupled with lower levels of subjective well-being and self-control
This study shows that PIU patterns and symptom-severity may be developmentally specific, further highlighting the need for clinically age-adjusted PIU screening practices within epidemiological and healthcare settings
Summary
The latest statistics suggest that approximately 4.66 billion individuals worldwide actively use the internet, representing a total global penetration rate of 59% [1]. Given the multiple functionalities and services offered by the internet as a contemporary leisure and professional tool, its use has been found to lead to several psychosocial benefits [2], with social media use constituting a constructive coping strategy capable of helping internet users manage their loneliness and anxiety levels during unprecedented pandemic times [3], and healthy forms (e.g., harmonious as opposed to obsessive passion) of online gaming engagement being associated with increased bonding capital, decreased loneliness, and enhanced well-being [4] These benefits can be understood within the Needs-Affordances-Features perspective [5] on technology (e.g., internet) use, which suggests that users’ psychological needs drive their usage levels of specific digital technologies and features (e.g., social media, gaming, gambling, emailing, pornography, shopping, etc.), to the extent that such usage provides salient affordances that contribute to satisfying their basic psychological needs. Epidemiology appears to vary across different regions, PIU vulnerability is relatively equivalent across Western and non-Western nations [14]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
