Predictors Of Problematic Internet Use Research Articles

Rates and psychological stress predictors of problematic internet use (PIU) during the COVID-19 pandemic in a racially diverse sample of young adults

ABSTRACT Background Problematic internet use (PIU), which includes social media misuse (SMM) and gaming misuse (GM), is uncontrollable and associated with significant psychological impairment. PIU is a coping behavior for COVID-19-related stress. We explored distress-related predictors of PIU in a young adult racially diverse sample during the pandemic. Methods Analyses used cross-sectional survey data (N = 1956). Psychological diagnoses, financial distress, COVID-19-related emotions, psychological distress, distress tolerance, social support, loneliness, SMM and GM were measured. Hierarchical multiple regressions identified predictors of PIU. Race-stratified exploratory analyses sought to understand if predictors held true across racial groups. Results Low distress tolerance was associated with SMM and GM, as were depression symptoms, with racial differences observed. SMM was associated with younger age, and GM was associated with male gender. PTSD symptoms predicted more GM. SMM and GM rates varied between racial groups. COVID-19-related adjustment challenges and stress predicted SMM and GM respectively, with racial differences observed. Conclusion Individual psychological distress and low distress tolerance markedly increased PIU risk. Clinicians should screen for stress-related PIU risk factors and bolster distress tolerance in vulnerable patients. Comparing PIU to different forms of coping in a larger sample would further clarify groups differences in stress coping behaviors.

Psychosocial predictors of problematic internet use and quality of sleep among nursing students

Psychosocial predictors of problematic internet use and quality of sleep among nursing students

Predictors of problematic internet use in the everyday internet activities of a French representative sample: The importance of psychological traits

Recent years have seen growing concern about the detrimental effects of digital activities on well-being and mental health. A major axis of concern is problematic internet use (PIU): dysregulated or excessive uses of online websites or applications, which can interfere with other daily-life activities. Given potential health impacts, better understanding of the predictors of PIU is warranted. This study investigated possible socio-demographic and psychological determinants of PIU for various types of Internet activities. We recruited a sample of 1504 participants representative of the French population aged 15 and above. Socio-demographic variables (sex, age, income, educational attainment) and psychological traits (dispositional flow, trait and state anxiety, fear of missing out) were surveyed, along with problematic uses in major digital activities (gambling, streaming, social media, video game, shopping, news, cybersex). The results showed that fear of missing out had the most explanatory power for PIU, followed by anxiety. Contrary to our expectations, socio-demographic variables explained very little variance in PIU, with only age emerging as a weak predictor in some analyses. Overall, psychological traits appeared to be more promising predictors of problematic uses, with detrimental effects of fear of missing out and anxiety presumably reflecting maladaptive coping strategies or unfulfillment of psychological needs. These results open up discussion regarding the design of digital platforms and public mental health policy.

Differential predictors of problematic internet use and problematic video gaming among school children: A 2-year longitudinal study.

Differential predictors of problematic internet use and problematic video gaming among school children: A 2-year longitudinal study.

Avoidance: A Predictor of Problematic Internet Use during COVID 19 Lockdown

Avoidance: A Predictor of Problematic Internet Use during COVID 19 Lockdown

Relational Mobility and Problematic Internet Use: A Person–Environment Interactionist Perspective

Problematic internet use (PIU) is a concerning issue worldwide, and a considerable body of knowledge has accrued from research on the predictors of PIU; however, few studies have investigated the dynamic process by which the social environment impacts individuals’ PIU. Integrating a person–environment interactionist perspective with self-determination theory, we investigate how relational mobility impacts PIU by proposing a “permeating” mechanism of social interactions (i.e., interpersonal sensitivity) and basic psychological needs (i.e., relatedness satisfaction). In Study 1, using a large data set from the Chinese General Social Survey ( N = 2,192), we found that relational mobility was negatively related to PIU. In Study 2, using a new sample ( N = 392), we found that relational mobility alleviated PIU through interpersonal sensitivity. In Study 3, using a cross-lagged design and two-wave data ( N = 298), we confirmed the chain-mediating roles of interpersonal sensitivity and relatedness satisfaction in the relationship between relational mobility and PIU.

Sex-differences in hikikomori traits as predictors of problematic internet use in Italian university students

BackgroundDespite a confirmed association between Problematic Internet use (PIU) and hikikomori-like social withdrawal, few studies investigated differences between sexes. Hence, the main objective was identifying psychopathological predictors (including hikikomori-like traits) associated with PIU (vs. non-PIU) across both sexes. MethodsA total of 1141 Italian university students were assessed with the Hikikomori Questionnaire-11 (HQ-11), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Student's T-test, bivariate Person's correlations, linear regression and a stepwise binary logistic regression analysis were post-hoc run. CHERRIES guidelines were followed for data reporting. ResultsPIU university students, independently of sex, had greater psychological problems (p < 0.001) and greater hikikomori traits, compared to non-PIU (respectively, p = 0.010 and p < 0.001). PIU females had a better social quality of life (p = 0.007), and higher anxiety (p = 0.013) and stress (p = 0.051) levels, compared to PIU males. Linear regression analysis showed that depressive (p = 0.001) and stress levels (p = 0.003) as well as Hikikomori traits (p < 0.001) significantly predicted IAT total score in females (p < 0.001). Sex-specific binary logistic analyses showed that hikikomori, psychological distress, alexithymia, and compromised social quality of life predicted PIU in females. In males, PIU is predicted by family annual income, psychopathological distress, alexithymia, and compromised social quality of life, but not by Hikikomori traits. ConclusionMain psychopathological predictors of PIU in Italian university students showed differences across sexes, as hikikomori-like traits are predictors of the emergence of a PIU only in the female sample. Further research studies should better investigate whether female Hikikomori-like young people may display better functioning compared to their male counterparts.

Problematic Internet Use Among University Students in Jamaica.

The prevalence of problematic Internet use (PIU) and its associated negative outcomes among college students has been heavily researched in developed countries. However, despite the increased accessibility of the Internet and indicators which may suggest PIU in developing countries such as Jamaica, PIU in this context remains grossly understudied. This study surveyed 277 Jamaican university students and found evidence of PIU, with younger respondents (ages 18–23) at risk. The findings also indicate that the predictors of PIU in this sample are depressive symptomatology, avoidant-attachment, and low social connectedness (R2 = .208, F[7, 269] = 10.112, p < .001). Findings from the current study highlight that problematic Internet use is of concern in this developing context and warrants further exploration.

The Relationship Between Problematic Internet Use, WhatsApp and Personality.

The manner and frequency of Internet use may reflect the needs, preferences, values, personal motivations and personality characteristics of users. The aim of this research was to analyse the relationship between the Big Five Personality factors and impulsivity with Problematic Internet Use and the Negative Impact of WhatsApp. The sample consisted of 630 university students (75.7% female) aged between 18 and 62 years (M = 21.23). The results indicated that the Big Five Personality factors and impulsivity correlated significantly with Problematic Internet Use and the Negative Impact of WhatsApp. Impulsivity proved to be the most important predictor of Problematic Internet Use and the Negative Impact of WhatsApp. It can be concluded, cautiously, that impulsive people have a greater predisposition to develop Problematic Internet Use and, also to experience a greater negative impact due to the use of WhatsApp.

The Role of Mental Well-Being and Perceived Parental Supportiveness in Adolescents' Problematic Internet Use: Moderation Analysis.

BackgroundGiven the growing number of adolescents exhibiting problematic internet use (PIU) and experiencing its harmful consequences, it is important to examine the factors associated with PIU. Existing research has identified perceived parental supportiveness and adolescents’ subjective mental well-being as strong predictors of PIU. However, it is unknown how these factors work together in shaping adolescents’ engagement in PIU.ObjectiveThis paper aimed to examine the role played by adolescents’ perception of parental supportiveness in conjunction with their subjective mental well-being in shaping their PIU.MethodsThe study analyzed one of the Technology & Adolescent Mental Wellness (TAM) data sets that were collected from a nationally representative cross-sectional sample. Adolescents self-reported their internet use behavior, perceived parental supportiveness, and subjective mental well-being through an online research panel survey. Hierarchical linear regression analysis with an interaction term was performed.ResultsA total of 4592 adolescents, aged 12 to 17 years, completed the survey. Adolescents reported a mean age of 14.61 (SD 1.68) and were 46.4% (2130/4592) female and 66.9% (3370/4592) White. Findings revealed that, controlling for adolescents’ demographics and social media use, higher levels of perceived parental supportiveness (β=–.285, P<.001) and higher levels of subjective mental well-being (β=–.079, P<.001) were associated with a lower likelihood of adolescent PIU. The moderation analysis showed that the negative association between perceived parental supportiveness and PIU was stronger when adolescents reported high (vs low) levels of mental well-being (β=–.191, P<.001).ConclusionsThis study shows that perceived parental supportiveness was a stronger protective factor than adolescents’ mental well-being against PIU. The protective power of perceived parental supportiveness against PIU was strongest when adolescents had high mental well-being. The highest risk of PIU occurred when adolescents’ mental well-being was high, but parents were perceived as unsupportive. Our findings suggest that parental supportiveness should be targeted as part of PIU prevention efforts.

A discriminant analysis model of psychosocial predictors of problematic Internet use and cannabis use disorder in university students

Researchers have found similarities and differences between behavioral and drug addictions. The present study was designed to explore which of a series of psychosocial predictors of addictive behaviors could differentiate problematic Internet use (PIU) and Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) in a sample of University students. A total of 144 participants (76 males, mean age = 23.03 years ± 2.83) were separated into three groups: those presenting with PIU (18 females, Mean age = 22.27 years), those presenting with CUD (22 female, Mean age = 22.73 years), and a control group (28 female, Mean age = 24.04 years). Participants completed the Internet Abusive Use Questionnaire (IAUQ), the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), the Multidimensional Distress Tolerance Scale (MDTS), the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), the Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30), and the Repetitive Thinking Questionnaire-10 (RTQ-10). The classification analysis results showed that 68.8% of the control group, 70.8% of the PIU group, and 81.3% of the CUD group were correctly classified in their respective groups. In addition, the results of the discriminant function analysis showed that there was a significant difference between members of the PIU and CUD groups in the degree of family support (0.45), significant other (0.33), tolerance of physical discomfort (0.30), reappraisal (0.42), and cognitive confidence (0.35). The findings provide evidence that specific psychosocial predictors can discriminate PIU from CUD.

Online News Addiction: Future Anxiety, Fear of Missing Out on News, and Interpersonal Trust Contribute to Excessive Online News Consumption

Following online news and updates have become an ever-increasing part of life in the information age. Surprisingly, however, there is no standardized measurement to examine excessive news consumption in the online context. This study was conducted in order to address online news addiction by developing and validating a questionnaire. Furthermore, this study investigated psychological determinants and consequences of online news addiction. A 9-item questionnaire was developed to assess participants’ maladaptive online news consumption. Exploratory factor analysis suggested a one-factor model including 9 items, accounting for 51.47 of the total variance. The confirmatory factor analysis showed support for this one-factor model. The results revealed that the online news addiction questionnaire had acceptable internal consistency reliability. Future anxiety, fear of missing out on news, and interpersonal trust were associated with online news addiction. High future anxiety and fear of missing out on news predicted the tendency to consume news excessively. Contrarily, those with high interpersonal trust expressed lower online news addiction. Additionally, online news addiction was a significant predictor of problematic internet use. These findings increase knowledge of online news addiction and indicate that online news consumption can be viewed as potential addictive behavior that may contribute to problematic internet use.

Shyness and Psychological Well-Being as Predictors of Problematic Internet Use Among Students in Pakistan

This research was aimed to study the relationship between the variables of shyness and psychological well-being as the predictors of problematic internet use (PIU). The study was carried out on a sample of 400 students. The sample included 191 men (47.8%) and 209 women (52.2%) from the University of Sargodha. The age range of participants in the sample was 18 to 24 years ( M = 21, S.D = 4.24). The three variables of the study including shyness, psychological well-being, and problematic internet use were assessed with the shyness questionnaire, flourishing scale, and internet addiction test scale (IAT), respectively. To determine the psychometric soundness of instruments, descriptive and internal consistency levels of all the study variables were measured. The main statistical analyses included correlation, t-test, and regression analysis. The correlational analysis of overall results revealed the significant positive correlation of shyness and a significant negative correlation of psychological well-being with problematic internet use. The t-test revealed that problematic internet use and psychological well-being were significantly different according to gender. Furthermore, the results of linear regression analysis divulged that shyness positively predicts problematic internet use, while psychological well-being negatively predicts problematic internet use. Also, regression analysis on the gender indicated that being male was a predictor of greater PIU. Implications of the study along with its limitations were discussed and recommendations for further research were highly suggested.

Factors affecting internet use among university students in Sarawak, Malaysia: an empirical study

Background: The internet has become an indispensable tool for communication, academic research, information and entertainment. However, heavy users of the internet lead to less confidence in social skills and the tendency to be isolated. The study aimed to assess the pattern of internet use and factors affecting problematic internet use among university students.Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted among the students of a university in Sarawak, Malaysia. A multistage cluster sampling technique was adapted to select the participants. Data were collected from 463 students by self-administered questionnaire. Hierarchical binary logistic regression analysis was done to determine the potential factors for problematic internet use.Results: The mean age of the students was 22 years, with a standard deviation of 1.6 years. Two-fifths (61.8%) of the students had no problematic internet use. However, 35.4% had moderate and 2.8% had severe problematic internet use. Hierarchical binary logistic regression analysis found that age of the students, year of study, duration of daily internet use and use of social networking like Skype appeared to be potential predictors of problematic internet use (p&lt;0.05).Conclusions: This study was conducted in only one university, thus did not depict the overall scenarios of the country. The implications of the findings are still worth noting in the process of designing internet addiction studies among university students. Overall, this study has unearthed some useful insights which can serve as a guide to more elaborate studies.

Predictors of problematic Internet use in school going adolescents of Bhavnagar, India.

Problematic Internet use (PIU) is the inability of individuals to control their Internet use, resulting in marked distress and/or functional impairment in daily life. We assessed the frequency of PIU and predictors of PIU, including social anxiety disorder (SAD), quality of sleep, quality of life and Internet-related demographic variables among school going adolescents. This was an observational, single-centered, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study of 1,312 school going adolescents studying in Grades 10, 11 and 12 in Bhavnagar, India. Every participant was assessed by a pro forma containing demographic details, questionnaires of Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) for PIU severity, SAD severity, Quality of Sleep assessment and Quality of Life assessment, respectively. The statistical analysis was done with SPSS Version 23 (IBM Corporation) using chi-square test, Student's t test and Pearson's correlation. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to find the predictors of PIU. We found frequency of PIUs as 16.7% and Internet addiction as 3.0% among school going adolescents. Participants with PIU are more likely to experience SAD ( p < .0001), poor quality of sleep ( p < .0001) and poor quality of life ( p < .0001). There is positive correlation between severity of PIU and SAD ( r = .411, p < .0001). Linear regression analysis shows PIU can be predicted by SAD, sleep quality, quality of life, English medium, male gender, total duration of Internet use, monthly cost of Internet use, education, social networking, gaming, online shopping and entertainment as purpose of Internet use. Participants with PIU are more likely to experience SAD, poor quality of sleep and poor quality of life.

Problematic Video Gaming and Problematic Internet Use Among Polish Young Adults.

Technological advancements, on the one hand, facilitate everyday activities and, on the other hand, may lead to problematic behavior. These include problematic video gaming (PVG) and problematic Internet use. The purpose of this article is to present the specificity of these behavioral addictions in a group of Polish young adults and to determine their predictors and interrelatedness. The study involved a group of 1,493 young adults, aged from 18 to 30. The intensity of problematic Internet use was measured with the Problematic Internet Use Test (the Polish version of Internet Addiction Test developed by Kimberly Young), and intensity of PVG was measured with the Problem Video Game Playing Questionnaire. Based on the results, it can be shown that in the group of Polish young adults participating in the study, 0.3 percent of the individuals present very high problematic Internet use. On the contrary, 3.6 percent of the gamers show signs of PVG. Furthermore, analysis of structural equations showed that only the model assuming a correlation between the two types of behavioral addiction correctly fits the data set. Based on the developed model, it was established that the duration of social network usage is probably a predictor of problematic Internet use, while predictors of PVG include the amount of time dedicated to playing video games as well as engagement in action games. The present findings enable better understanding of the relationship between PVG and problematic Internet use among young adults. They also support other studies which suggest that, despite similarities between them, various types of behavioral addictions may be predicted by different factors.

Internet Use and Psychological Wellbeing: A Study of International Students in Singapore

We investigated the relationship between psychological wellbeing (as indicated by participants’ level of loneliness, perceived academic stress and depression) and generalized problematic internet use. Data was collected from a sample of 103 international students studying in Singapore. Statistical analyses revealed that depression was the most important predictor of problematic internet use, followed by academic stress. Loneliness was found to mediate the relationship between problematic internet use and depression or academic stress. Implications of the findings for international students in the University context have been discussed.

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

Resorting to Internet: A look at university students’ problematic Internet use through meaning in life, self-efficacy and self-esteem

Internet can be used in a maladaptive way to escape from or compensate perceived inadequacies or the problems experiencing in daily life. In relation to this, in this study the relationship of meaning in life, self-efficacy and self-esteem to problematic Internet use was examined. Furthermore, the role of meaning in life, self-efficacy and self-esteem in predicting problematic Internet use was investigated. The study was carried out 410 university students (280 females and 130 males) attending the different grades of various departments in a school of education in Rize, Turkey. In the study, Sociodemographic Data Form, Problematic Internet Use Scale, Meaning in Life Questionnaire, General Self-Efficacy Scale and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were used as data collection instruments. The data were analyzed through SPSS 15.0 version and descriptive statistics, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression analysis were utilized in the analysis. Results showed that presence of meaning in life (r=-.26, p&lt;.01), self-efficacy (r=-.36, p&lt;.01) and self-esteem (r=-.29, p&lt;.01) are negatively and significantly correlated to problematic Internet use, on the contrary, search for meaning’s relationship was found in a positive way (r=.21, p&lt;.01). Besides, presence of meaning in life, search for meaning in life and self-efficacy emerged as significant predictors of problematic Internet use. By discussing these results in line with the relevant literature, directions were given for further studies.

Maladaptive and addictive Internet use in zagazig university students, Egypt

BackgroundInternet use has increased broadly worldwide. There are growing concerns about problematic Internet use (PIU) among youth. Among undergraduate students, excessive Internet use can adversely affect their interpersonal relations and academic achievements.AimTo estimate the prevalence of PIU among Zagazig university students, and to identify the possible associations between sociodemographic and Internet-related factors and PIU.MethodsA cross-sectional study included a total of 732 undergraduate students, aged 17–34 years, from various colleges in Zagazig University. Participants were randomly selected and assessed for their internet use and abuse using the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), along with a semi-structured questionnaire for sociodemographic and Internet-related factors.ResultsMaladaptive Internet use was found in 37.4% of respondents, and addictive Internet use was found in 4.1% of respondents. Logistic regression showed the predictors of PIU were: using the Internet throughout the day (OR 3.34, 95% CI: 1.75, 6.38), the number of hours spent daily using the Internet (OR 1.17, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.25), the number of days/week using the Internet (OR 1.28, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.58), accessing the Internet using multiple devices (OR 1.55, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.98), and accessing the Internet both indoors and outdoors (OR 1.57, 95% CI: 1.13, 2.19).ConclusionThis is the first prevalence study of PIU at an Egyptian university. PIU was common among university students. Addressing this issue and its predictors could eventually help to enhance academic performance and achievement among those students.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.