Adolescent Problematic Internet Use Research Articles

Integrating Adolescent Problematic Internet Use Risk Factors: Hyperactivity, Inconsistent Parenting, and Maladaptive Cognitions

The aim of this study was to examine the interrelationships of adolescent biological, social and cognitive factors in relation to problematic internet use (PIU). The design of this study was based upon a multi-faceted theoretical framework with the intent of exploring the integration of risk factors associated with PIU. Participants were 305 middle school and high school adolescents who completed questionnaires with measures of hyperactivity, parenting practices, maladaptive cognitions and PIU. After controlling for age, gender and family economic status, the regression analyses showed hyperactivity, inconsistent parenting and maladaptive cognitions to be independently predictive of PIU. Inconsistent parenting was found to mediate the effect between hyperactivity and maladaptive cognitions. No significant interactions were found between parenting practices and hyperactivity or maladaptive cognitions. This study contributes to an understanding of the interplay of biological, familial and cognitive factors in the development of adolescent PIU and points to implications for the necessity of considering multiple preventive and treatment approaches for adolescents who are encountering difficulties with excessive use of the internet.

Kontribusi Parental Mediation terhadap Kecenderungan Problematic Internet Use pada Remaja di SMP SFX

Continuous and uncontrolled internet usage in adolescents can lead to dependency on the internet or problematic internet use (PIU). To minimize this, parental mediation is needed to encourage teenagers to use internet wisely. This study aimed to determine the five types of parental mediation (restrictive mediation, active mediation of internet safety, active mediation of internet use, technical mediation, monitoring) contribution together towards the tendency of PIU in adolescents. This is a correlational-quantitative research using parental mediation and PIU scale. The participants were 214 adolescents of class VII-IX at SFX Junior High School who were selected by purposive sampling method. Around 71.97% of adolescents have a tendency to PIU classified as average-problem group. They use the internet to finding entertainment, opening social media, and chatting for 4-6 hours per day. The use of mediation strategies by parents in adolescents still varies, most adolescents perceive parents using technical mediation (around 25.23%) in assisting adolescents’ internet use. Through multiple regression analysis, the five types of parental mediation together do not have a significant contribution in predicting PIU. The greater contribution comes from variables outside the five types of parental mediation (around 95.2%), such as gender, purpose and time of internet use, socioeconomic condition, psychological condition, peers, and class environment. Based on the results of this study, it appears that parents still do not have deep knowledge about mediation strategies in addressing adolescents’ internet use. The recommendation is to provide training for parents to improve their knowledge and skills in assisting adolescents’ internet use.

What Types of Internet Services Make Adolescents Addicted? Correlates of Problematic Internet Use.

PurposeThis study investigated the prevalence and correlates of problematic internet use (PIU) in a large sample of adolescents based on the type of internet service used.Materials and MethodsThe study was conducted from 2008 to 2010, and 223,542 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years participated in the study. The participants responded to a self-report questionnaire including items for demographic factors, internet usage time, most used internet service and mental health. The PIU was assessed with the Internet Addiction Proneness Scale for Youth-Short Form.ResultsThe overall prevalence rate of PIU was 5.2%, and the prevalence rates stratified by sex were 7.7% in boys and 3.8% in girls. The distribution of most used internet services was significantly different across sexes. The most commonly used internet services were gaming (58.1%) in boys and blogging (22.1%) and messenger/chatting (20.3%) in girls. The odds ratio for PIU was significantly different according to the most used internet service; using the internet mostly for pornography compared to information searching had the highest odds ratio (4.526-fold higher). Depressive episodes, suicidal ideation, and suicidal attempts were significantly associated with higher odds ratios for PIU (1.725-, 1.747- and 1.361-fold, respectively).ConclusionThe present study identified clinically important information about PIU in adolescents. The distribution of PIU has different patterns based on sex and specific internet services. Studies of PIU with well-defined methodology and assessment tools for PIU of each specific internet service are needed.

An Empirical Exploration of Longitudinal Predictors for Problematic Internet Use and Problematic Gaming Behavior.

Problematic gaming (PG) has been included in the DSM-5 and ICD-11. But, it is still controversially discussed, if problematic (online-) gaming is a subtype of problematic Internet use (PIU) or if both behavior patterns should be distinguished. In joint samples, the relationships between PIU and PG and correlates have so far only been investigated in cross-sectional studies. This is the first longitudinal study to determine predictors of PIU, PG, and a combined occurrence of PIU and PG (PIU + PG) together in one sample. Overall, 985 family dyads (one parent and her/his child) were interviewed twice (at t1 and t2, with one year in between) with a standardized questionnaire regarding PIU, PG and psychosocial aspects. Predictors for adolescent PIU, PG, and PIU + PG were determined with a multinomial logistic regression analysis. The following were our findings: (a) PIU (t2) was predicted by stronger emotional distress (t1) and PIU (t1); (b) PG (t2) by male gender, more self-esteem problems (t1), stronger hyperactivity/inattention (t1), and PG (t1); and (c) PIU + PG (t2) by male gender, stronger hyperactivity/inattention (t1), and PG (t1). Partly different patterns of predictors were observed for the development of PIU and PG. The results indicate not only commonalities but also differences in the etiology of these behavior patterns.

Problematic Internet Use in Lonely Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Detachment from Parents.

ObjectiveThe relationship between Problematic Internet Use (PIU) and loneliness in adolescence is a disputed issue. In the current study, we explored whether the relationship between loneliness and PIU in adolescence is mediated by detachment from parents.MethodA community sample of 356 adolescents completed self-report questionnaires assessing Internet addiction symptoms, peer- and parent-related loneliness, and detachment from parents. Linear regression and mediation analyses were performed to explore the role of loneliness and detachment from parents in predicting PIU.ResultsPeer-related loneliness positively predicted PIU, whereas detachment from parents fully mediated the association between parent-related loneliness and PIU.ConclusionsMultidimensional assessment of subjective solitary experience is needed to explain the relationship between loneliness and PIU in adolescence. This is in line with previous research on adolescents’ PIU, suggesting that peer-related loneliness is more strictly related with maladjustment, whereas parent-related loneliness is maladaptive in the context of a lack of parental support.

Predictors of Spontaneous Remission of Problematic Internet Use in Adolescence: A One-Year Follow-Up Study.

Problematic use of the Internet is becoming increasingly important and especially for adolescents, high prevalence rates are reported in many countries. Despite the growing international research activities and the reported prevalence estimates, comparatively very few studies have focused on spontaneous remission and its possible causes. In a risk population of 272 adolescents, we used standardized diagnostic instruments to investigate which socio-demographic and psychosocial characteristics at baseline (at t1) predicted spontaneous remission of problematic Internet use one year later (at t2). The predictors were determined by bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. In the bivariate regressions, we found male gender, higher self-efficacy (t1), a lower level of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies (t1), lower depression (t1), lower performance and school anxiety (t1), lower social-interaction anxiety (t1), and lower procrastination (t1) to predict spontaneous remission of problematic Internet use at t2. In the multivariable analysis, a lower level of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies (t1) was the sole statistically significant predictor for the remission one year later (t2). For the first time, the high relevance of emotion regulation for spontaneous remission of adolescent problematic Internet use was observed. Based on these findings, emotion regulation could be specifically trained and promoted in future prevention measures.

Linking parental mediation practices to adolescents' problematic online screen use: A systematic literature review.

Background and aimsTo remedy problematic Internet use (PIU) and problematic online gaming (POG) in adolescents, much is expected from efforts by parents to help youths to contain their screen use. Such parental mediation can include (a) refraining from acting, (b) co-viewing or co-gaming with the teen, (c) active mediation, and (d) restrictive mediation. We evaluated if parental mediation practices are linked to PIU and POG in adolescents.MethodsFor a systematic literature review, we searched for publications presenting survey data and relating parental mediation practices to levels of PIU and/or POG in adolescents. The review’s selection criteria were met by 18 PIU and 9 POG publications, reporting on 81.002 and 12.915 adolescents, respectively. We extracted data on gaming problems, mediation interventions, study design features, and sample characteristics.ResultsNo type of parental mediation was consistently associated with lower or elevated problematic screen use rates in the adolescents. Refraining from parental mediation tended to aggravate screen use problems, whereas active mediation (talking to the teen) may mitigate such problems in PIU, but less clearly in POG. The link of restrictive mediation with problematic screen use varied from positive to negative, possibly depending on type of restriction. In both PIU and POG, family cohesion was related to lower rates of the problem behavior concerned and family conflict to higher rates.Discussion and conclusionsParental mediation practices may affect problematic screen use rates for better or worse. However, research of higher quality, including observations of parent-teen interactions, is needed to confirm the trends noted and advance the critical issue of the possible association between PIU, POG, and family interactions.

A longitudinal study of daily hassles, internet expectancy, self-control, and problematic internet use in Chinese adolescents: A moderated mediation model

Using data collected over a 1-year period on a stratified random sample of 782 secondary schools students (mean age = 14.86 years) in Shanghai, China, this study examined a moderated mediation model to explain how perceived stress lead to problematic internet use. Results showed that perceived stress positively predicted problematic internet use in adolescents and this prospective relation was mediated by adolescents' internet expectancy. Further, the mediation effect was moderated by adolescents' self-control. In addition, the moderated mediation effect of self-control existed only for adolescent girls who reported higher self-control than boys. Overall, the finding suggested that problematic internet use maybe instigated by strong internet expectancy coupled with weak self-control, especially for adolescents living under stress. Therefore, enhancing adolescents' self-control could be the focus of PIU intervention and prevention programmes.

Sleep disturbances partially mediate the association between problematic internet use and somatic symptomatology in adolescence

The Internet is widely used among adolescents for different purposes, including social connections, entertainment and schoolwork. Nevertheless, research has demonstrated the negative impact of problematic internet use (PIU) on psychophysical well-being in adolescence. This study aims to investigate internet use and its association with somatic symptoms, exploring the specific role of sleep disturbances that affect overall sleep quality. A mediation model was used to demonstrate the link between PIU, somatic symptoms and sleep disturbances in a sample of 412 adolescents (52% of males) aged 10–17 (M = 14.12, SD = 1.46). We also investigated whether somatic symptoms were differently experienced and reported by participants at risk of developing internet addiction (n = 58) from those not-at risk (n = 354). Sleep disturbances partially mediated the relationship between PIU and somatic symptoms. Furthermore, PIU seems to lead to poorer sleep quality which may in turn result in physical problems with an increase in somatic symptoms. Findings of this study showed that adolescents at risk of developing internet addiction suffered from a specific somatic symptomatology respect to those not-at risk. Finally, PIU has a positive direct effect on somatic symptoms. These results highlight the role of sleep disturbances with implications for overall sleep quality in the association between PIU and somatic symptoms. When designing intervention programs, the associations between PIU, sleep quality and somatic symptoms in adolescence and the negative repercussions of PIU on psychophysical health should be kept in mind. Results are discussed within the context of recent scientific research.

Young, Bullying, and Connected. Common Pathways to Cyberbullying and Problematic Internet Use in Adolescence.

Cyberbullying perpetration (CBP) and problematic Internet use (PIU) are the most studied risky online activities for adolescents in the current generation. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between CBP and PIU. Still lacking is a clear understanding of common or differentiated risk and protective pathways for adolescents interacting in the cyber world. The aim of this study was to understand the role of individual (emotional symptoms) and environmental variables (parental monitoring) underpinning both CBP and PIU, with time spent online as a mediator of these factors. Furthermore, we investigated gender and school level differences in these dynamics. A questionnaire was filled in by 3,602 students from Italian Lower Secondary Schools and Upper Secondary Schools. Structural equation modeling was used to test the effects of emotional symptoms and parental monitoring on CBP and PIU mediated by time spent online, controlling for school level. In addition, the model was implemented for girls and boys, respectively. Negative emotional symptoms and low levels of parental monitoring were risk factors for both CBP and PIU, and their effect was mediated by the time spent online. In addition, parental monitoring highlighted the strongest total effect on both CBP and PIU. Risk and protective pathways were similar in girls and boys across Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary Schools, although there were some slight differences. CBP and PIU are the outcomes of an interplay between risk factors in the individual and environmental systems. The results highlight the need to design interventions to reduce emotional symptoms among adolescents, to support parental monitoring, and to regulate the time spent online by adolescents in order to prevent risky online activities.

The role of stressful life events and the Big Five personality traits in adolescent trajectories of problematic Internet use.

Cross-sectional studies have shown that both stressors and personality vulnerability are risk factors for adolescent problematic Internet use (PIU). However, little is known about how both categories of factors in combination may contribute to the longitudinal development of PIU among adolescents. The aims of this study were to document the developmental pattern of PIU among adolescents and to examine how stressful life events and the Big Five personality traits jointly affect the development of PIU. We tested three competing models: the additive, diathesis-stress, and social push models. A total of 1,365 adolescents participated in a 3-year longitudinal study. Hierarchical linear modeling indicated that PIU among adolescents increased over the 3-year period. After controlling for demographics and the Big Five personality traits, stressful life events (a time-varying predictor) were positively correlated with the initial level of, and the rate of change in, PIU. After controlling for demographics and stressful life events, four of the time-invariant Big Five personality dimensions had a significant effect on the initial level of PIU. Low Agreeableness, low Conscientiousness, high Openness, and high Neuroticism were positively associated with high initial PIU. In addition, Extraversion was negatively associated with and Conscientiousness was positively associated with the rate of change in PIU. The interaction effect between the personality and stressors was not significant. Therefore, the data provided support for the additive model, indicating that stressful life events and personality dimensions each make a unique contribution to PIU and that both should be considered in the prevention of adolescent PIU. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Peer victimization and problematic internet use in adolescents: The mediating role of deviant peer affiliation and the moderating role of family functioning

The role of social-environmental factors in adolescent problematic Internet use (PIU) has attracted considerable attention recently. Several studies have documented that peer victimization is positively associated with PIU. However, little is known about “how” (i.e., mediation mechanisms) and “under what conditions” (i.e., moderation mechanisms) peer victimization is associated with adolescent PIU. To contribute to this gap in the knowledge, this study used a large sample of Chinese adolescents (N = 2758; Mage = 13.53 years, SD = 1.06) to examine deviant peer affiliation (DPA) as a mediator and family functioning as a moderator in this relationship. Students completed anonymous questionnaires to measure the main variables. After controlling for important covariates related to PIU, the results indicated that (a) peer victimization was positively associated with PIU, (b) DPA partially mediated the link between peer victimization and PIU, and (c) family functioning moderated the association between peer victimization and DPA. Specifically, for adolescents with better family functioning, the relationship between peer victimization and DPA was weaker. The current research deepens our understanding of “how” and “under what conditions” peer victimization is related to PIU in adolescents.

Do Attachment Styles and Family Functioning Predict Adolescents’ Problematic Internet Use? A Relative Weight Analysis

The increased use of Internet in the last decade has led to problematic behaviour that can affect people’s individual and social functioning, especially among younger individuals. This study aimed to explore the relation between problematic Internet use (PIU), attachment style, and perception of family functioning in adolescence. Participants were 306 Italian adolescents (62.7% females and 37.3% males) aged from 15 to 18 years (M = 16.07, SD = 0.91). Participants completed the following measures: the Young’s Internet Addiction Test (Y-IAT), the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ), and the Family Assessment Device (FAD). The results of regression and relative weight analyses showed that family functioning and attachment styles were important predictors of adolescent PIU. In particular, a greater perception of family members as being interested in and placing value on each other’s activities and concerns (i.e., affective involvement) and a greater perception that tasks were clearly and equitably assigned to family members (i.e., roles) were associated with less PIU. In contrast, a greater anxious-preoccupied attachment was associated with a greater risk of PIU. In line with these results, it would be recommendable the development of family-focused prevention programs for all adolescents at risk of PIU before they develop a full Internet addiction. Further research on this topic is needed to develop a specific, autonomous, and comprehensive diagnostic process for PIU to avoid conceptual and treatment overlap between PIU and other kinds of addictive behaviors.

Parental Conflict and Problematic Internet Use in Chinese Adolescents: Testing a Moderated Mediation Model of Adolescents' Effortful Control and Emotional Dysregulation.

This study analyzed the association between parental conflict and adolescents' problematic Internet use (PIU), especially the mediating role of adolescent emotional dysregulation and the moderating role of adolescents' effortful control. About 870 middle school students participated in this survey, reporting on their perceived parental conflict, their own emotional dysregulation, effortful control, and PIU. The results demonstrated that the association between parental conflict and adolescent PIU was completely mediated by adolescent emotional dysregulation. Adolescent effortful control was found to moderate the indirect relation of parental conflict to adolescent PIU, with parental conflict more strongly associated with PIU for adolescents with lower levels of effortful control. Our findings add to the extant insights on how parental conflict could contribute to adolescent PIU.

Internet activity and problematic Internet use in adolescence

Internet activity and problematic Internet use in adolescence

Moderating effects of depressive symptoms on the relationship between problematic use of the Internet and sleep problems in Korean adolescents

sBackgroundAdolescence is a period of marked sleep pattern changes and sleep problems, which may result from both endogenous and exogenous factors. Among the various factors affecting adolescent sleep, depression and problematic Internet use (PIU) have received considerable attention. We examined if there is a different PIU effect on sleep between depressed group and non-depressed groups.MethodsData for a total of 766 students’ between 7th and 11th grades were analyzed. We assessed various variables related sleep to problems and depression and compared those variables between an adolescent group with problematic Internet use (PIUG) and an adolescent group with normal Internet use (NIUG).ResultsOne hundred fifty two participants were classified as PIUG, and 614 were classified as NIUG. Compared with the NIUG, the members of the PIUG were more prone to insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep-wake behavior problems. The PIUG also tended to include more evening types than the NIUG. Interestingly, the effect of Internet use problems on sleep problems appeared to be different according to the presence or absence of the moderating effect of depression. When we considered the moderating effect of depression, the effect of Internet use problems on sleep-wake behavior problems, insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness increased with increasing Young’s Internet Addiction Scale (IAS) scores in the non-depressed group. However, in the depressed group, the effects of Internet use problems on sleep-wake behavior problems and insomnia did not change with increasing Internet use problems, and the effect of Internet use problems on excessive daytime sleepiness was relatively decreased with increasing Internet use problems in the depressed group.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that the effect of PIU on sleep presented differently between the depressed and non-depressed groups. PIU is associated with poorer sleep in non-depressed adolescents but not in depressed adolescents. This finding might be observed because PIU may be the biggest contributor to sleep problems in the problematic Internet user without depression, but in the problematic Internet user with depression, depression might be a more important contributor to sleep problems; thus, the influence of PIU on sleep effect might be diluted.

An investigation of mediators for the relationship between parent mental health and adolescent problematic internet use: a cross-sectional study in Romanian adolescents

An investigation of mediators for the relationship between parent mental health and adolescent problematic internet use: a cross-sectional study in Romanian adolescents

Study of the Domains and Facets of the Five-Factor Model of Personality in Problematic Internet Use in Adolescents

Over recent years, numerous studies have examined the relationship between Problematic Internet Use (PIU) and the Big Five personality traits. However, detailed studies have yet to analyze the relationship between PIU and the Five-Factor Model (FFM) while considering (1) the domains and specific facets of the FFM and (2) the components of PIU. This study analyzes data collected from 910 adolescents who were administered the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and the JS-NEO-S questionnaire to measure the domains and facets of the FFM. The results show that high levels of Neuroticism and Extraversion and low levels of Agreeableness, Openness, and Conscientiousness predict PIU. This study allows for the determination of the specific facets of the Big Five that are associated with an increased risk of PIU. Furthermore, it suggests that different traits are associated with each of the PIU components: low Agreeableness predict Emotional Investment in Internet use, while high Neuroticism, high Extraversion, and low Conscientiousness predict a decrease in Performance and Time Management. Therefore, these results suggest that distinct personal mechanisms may be involved in the different dimensions making up PIU.

Profiles of emotional and behavior problems as predictors of problematic internet use in adolescents

Profiles of emotional and behavior problems as predictors of problematic internet use in adolescents

Bullying victimization and poor relationships with parents as risk factors of problematic internet use in adolescence

During adolescence, adolescents move away from their parents in order to establish their place in society. Therefore, there are two arenas that have a significant impact on adolescents; the family and the social one. Adolescents’ intensive internet use leads to concern about Problematic Internet Use (PIU) (Siciliano et al., 2015). Therefore, the goal of this study was to examine if stressful environments such as being a victim to bullying and/or cyberbullying, and poor relationships with parents could be linked directly and indirectly to PIU. Data was collected from a representative sample of 1000 Israeli adolescents aged 12–17 (53% females, average age 14.19 (SD = 1.34)). Measures included demographics, a short problematic internet use test, relationships with parents' questionnaire, cyberbullying scale and, separately, a traditional bullying test. Path analysis model revealed that both poor parent-child communication and being a cyberbullying victim were related to PIU. Correspondingly, Poor parent-child communication had an indirect effect on PIU through bullying and/or cyberbullying victimization. Conversely, both positive mother-child communication and positive father-child communication had an indirect effect on PIU through bullying or cyberbullying victimization, implying that good communication with parents actually can assist reducing bullying victimization and PIU behavior. Limitations, conclusions, and suggestions for further research are discussed.