The association between problematic internet use and hedonic and eudaimonic well-being: A latent profile analysis

Abstract

Problematic internet use (PIU) has become a public health concern globally and there are now many published studies examining the issue, particularly in relation to wellbeing. However most previous studies on the relationship between PIU and well-being have been conducted using a variable-cantered approach with either indicators of ill-being (depression, stress, anxiety, loneliness), or only one dimension of well-being (happiness or life satisfaction). Therefore, the present study aimed to address this research gap by investigating the distinct dimensions of hedonic and eudaimonic well-being simultaneously as outcomes of PIU latent profiles, as well as sociodemographic variables and stress as antecedents. The profile indicators were items of the Internet Disorder Scale. Data were collected from 1202 participants (516 males), aged 19–59 years (M = 29.24 years, SD ± 9.40). The results showed that four latent profiles emerged: ‘Low risk of PIU’ (56.4 %), ‘Medium risk of PIU with moderately-high psychosocial impairments’ (9.1 %), ‘Medium risk of PIU with poor internet-related self-control’ (27.4 %), and ‘High-risk of PIU’ (7.1 %). Both hedonic and eudaimonic well-being were outcomes of PIU profiles. The participants from the high-risk profile of PIU had the lowest levels on both dimension of well-being. The addiction criteria with the highest scores in the high-risk of PIU profile were preoccupation, mood modification, and jeopardizing social relationship or job opportunities. Age and stress were significant antecedents of PIU latent profile membership. Knowing the addiction criteria with highest values in the PIU high-risk profile can be a basis for developing tailored treatments for maladaptive internet use. Moreover, hedonic and eudaimonic well-being measures could be used to assess therapeutic progress.