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With the number of internet users booming, problematic internet use (PIU) has become a public health threat. This study aims to figure out the inter-relationships between PIU symptoms and personality traits with network-based analysis among young people and to discuss the gender difference in the above networks. Based on a national cross-sectional study in 2022, 4655 Chinese adolescents and young adults aged 14 to 25 were included. We adopted the 6-item Short-Form Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire (PIUQ-SF-6) and the 10-item version of the Big Five Inventory (BFI-10) to measure PIU and personality traits, respectively. Network analysis was used to identify influential nodes and edges and compare the network models between male and female participants. The mean age of 4655 participants was 19.84, and 52.1 % (2424) of them were females. There are differences in age and gender between participants with and without PIU (P < 0.05). The network of personality and PIU showed that 22 out of the 28 edges were estimated to be nonzero, and "obsession-neuroticism" was the strongest positive edge between the two communities. Central symptoms (i.e., "obsession" and "control disorder") and bridge symptoms (i.e., "obsession" and "neuroticism") have been identified. Gender differences existed in network global strength: female = 3.71, male = 3.18 (p < 0.001). The cross-sectional study needs more evidence to build causal inference. The results of PIU-personality networks may contribute to the personalized prevention and treatment of PIU. The gender difference in PIU-personality networks also requires more attention and discussion. • "Obsession-neuroticism" was the strongest edge between PIU and personality groups. • "Obsession" has the highest strength and bridge strength in the whole network. • Females have a denser PIU-personality network structure than males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The role played by impulsivity in problematic internet use (PIU) is the object of much debate among researchers. Some studies emphasize its importance, while others suggest mental distress or personality traits may be more crucial. More research into the issue is clearly needed—especially in at-risk populations like people with disabilities. The objectives of this study were therefore to investigate the relationship between PIU and impulsivity among university students with disabilities, and to develop a specific predictive model for this group that would include psychological and life-functioning variables. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used with a sample of 240 Spanish university students with disabilities from seven universities. Several instruments were used for data collection: a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM), and NEO-FFI-R. Results: The results indicated that impulsivity is significantly correlated with PIU, as indeed it also is with other factors like conscientiousness and social functioning problems. The study's regression model explained nearly 50% of PIU variance, with impulsivity, personality traits, wellness and health indicators, and social media usage as predictive variables. Discussion: This suggests that interventions should consider these psychological and lifestyle variables as a means of mitigating PIU risks in students with disabilities. The findings identify a need for further longitudinal studies to understand the causality and develop targeted prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies examining the effects of perceived parental rejectful attitudes during childhood and emotional deprivation on problematic Internet use based on inter-factorial analysis are limited. The aim of this research is to examine the effects of the above-mentioned factors on problematic Internet use in people aged 18 years and over. This study used quantitative methods and convenience sampling. The sample consisted of 341 individuals aged 18 years and older. Data collection tools included a personal information form, perceived parental attitudes scale-child form, Young Internet addiction test short form, and Young schema scale short form-3. According to the results obtained in this study, there is a positive correlation between perceived rejectful parental attitudes in childhood, emotional deprivation, and problematic Internet use. Additionally, it was observed that perceived rejectful parental attitudes during childhood had a positive direct effect on problematic Internet use, and emotional deprivation played a positive and partial mediating role in this relationship. Finally, it has been observed that various sociodemographic and social skill factors have a preventive effect on emotional deprivation and problematic Internet use. Various recommendations were made regarding the results obtained at the end of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Problematic Internet use (i.e., Internet use that disrupts functioning in other important domains; PIU) is increasingly prevalent worldwide, particularly among youth. One form of PIU relates specifically to interpersonal interaction and communication, deemed social PIU. Social PIU has been linked to various forms of psychopathology, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Yet with limited longitudinal research, the direction of this association remains unclear. Moreover, little research investigates whether social PIU is linked to one or both symptom dimensions of ADHD (inattention vs. hyperactivity/impulsivity). Methods: The present study utilized data from the largest extant longitudinal study of girls with childhood-diagnosed ADHD (N = 228). Linear regression and structural equation models were used to analyze social PIU as both a prospective predictor and outcome of ADHD symptoms. Results: Inattentive ADHD symptoms were positively associated with concurrent social PIU in initial regression models but were non-significant in path analyses. Social PIU was only marginally significant in predicting subsequent inattention six years later. Symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity were unrelated to social PIU among girls at either time point. Conclusions: Inattentive ADHD symptoms were initially positively linked to concurrent problems with social Internet use, but bidirectional associations were non-significant in path analyses. Relations between PIU and ADHD in girls may be less robust than previously thought, although further longitudinal research with clinical samples is needed to clarify which groups of adolescents are particularly vulnerable to social PIU and its long-term effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous research has indicated that personality traits, loneliness, and problematic internet use (PIU) significantly contribute to the prevalence of adolescent depression. However, the specific interrelationships among these variables in explaining the occurrence of depression remain unclear. Drawing upon susceptibility theory and cognitive-behavioral theory, this study explored whether personality traits influences adolescent depression through loneliness and PIU. Methods: A total of 2476 adolescents (aged 12–18) from all over the country completed a psycho-social test, including the 10-Item Big Five Personality Inventory (BFI-10), three-Item Loneliness Scale (T-ILS), Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire-Short Form (PIUQ-SF-6) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The mediation model was built and bootstrap method was used to test the mediating effect. Results: Results showed that neuroticism, conscientiousness, openness, and agreeableness have a direct role on depression. Loneliness and PIU partially mediated the relationship between neuroticism, conscientiousness, agreeableness and depression, and completely mediated the relationship between extroversion and depression. Conclusions: The results suggest that loneliness and PIU play important mediating roles in the relationship between personality traits and depression. This remind us that alleviating sense of loneliness and reducing overuse of the internet are a strategy for improve depression among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In the transition to the postpandemic era, adolescents are working to shift their focus back to school. However, the prevalence of academic procrastination is reflective of that the aftereffects of the pandemic are persisting. Literature documents the increases in the negative parenting behaviors and internet use of adolescents during the pandemic. The excessive internet use has to do with adolescents' self‐regulatory capabilities and self‐regulation is profoundly shaped by parents' parenting practices. Given the connections among these factors, the present study seeks to understand how maladaptive parenting practices during the pandemic influenced adolescents' academic procrastination postpandemic through the mediation of self‐regulation and problematic internet use. Method: Using three waves of data from a total of 1062 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 14.9 years old, SD = 1.6, 13−18 years old; 45% female), we used structural equation modeling to examine the direct effect of maladaptive parenting on academic procrastination and its indirect effect via self‐regulation and problematic internet use. Results: Maladaptive parenting during the pandemic did not directly predict adolescent academic procrastination post‐pandemic. Yet, maladaptive parenting indirectly influenced academic procrastination both through self‐regulation solely and self‐regulation and problematic internet use sequentially. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that parents can contribute to adolescents' academic procrastination by influencing their self‐regulation ability, which further impacts their internet use. Self‐regulation serves as a robust mediator between parenting and adolescents' problematic behaviors related to internet use and learning. Implications for parents and intervention oriented toward adolescents are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic threatened adolescents' mental health and livelihoods, which can worsen their non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behaviors. With the significant increase of total online time use, adolescents become more prone to problematic internet use (PIU). This study examined whether depression mediated the relationship between PIU and NSSI among adolescence during the COVID-19 outbreak. Constructed with a cross-sectional design during the COVID-19 outbreak in Taiwan, 1060 participants were drawn from junior high schools through stratified and cluster sampling, and completed a set of comprehensive surveys. The mediation model demonstrated a good fit to the data, GFI =.96, CFI =.97, NFI =.97, NNFI =.95, IFI =.97, and SRMR =.02. The overall fit of the mediational model was adequate. The path from PIU to depression, β =.41, p <.001, and the path from depression to NSSI, β =.40, p <.001, were both significant. Moreover, the effect of PIU to NSSI decreased from.23 (p <.001) to.05 (p =.099) when depression was incorporated into the analysis. Moreover, results in bootstrapping analysis displayed that the indirect effect (PIU on NSSI via depression) was statistically significant (p <.001) and the direct effect (PIU on NSSI) was statistically non-significant (p =.134). The full mediation model was confirmed. The findings of the structure equation modeling and bootstrap analysis showed that PIU significantly and positively predicted NSSI, and that depression fully mediated this relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of problematic Internet use (PIU) amongst college students is emerging as a major concern for mental health. Factors such as health literacy, subjective well-being and the extent of social support may be critical in preventing PIU. However, the complex relationship between these factors has not been extensively explored in research. A national cross-sectional study based on multistage random sampling was conducted in China in 2022. The subjects for this study were 7669 college students who completed a set of questionnaires assessing their health literacy, subjective well-being, PIU and social support. A structural equation model (SEM) was utilised for exploring the mediating effect of subjective well-being, and the PROCESS macro was used to test the moderating effect of social support. After controlling for demographic factors, a significantly negative correlation was found between health literacy and PIU, and subjective well-being partially mediated this relationship. In addition, social support was negatively related to PIU and could moderate the relationship between health literacy and subjective well-being and between subjective well-being and PIU. This is a cross-sectional study, and the results cannot inform the causality between these variables. Results revealed that the relationship between health literacy and PIU was partially mediated by subjective well-being in college students. The correlation between health literacy and subjective well-being and between subjective well-being and PIU were moderated by social support. Thus, future interventions for college students' PIU should be facilitated by improving health literacy, subjective well-being and social support. • This article used the data from a cross-sectional investigation in mainland China in 2022 to describe the current situation of problematic Internet use amongst Chinese college students. • In this study, we explored the relationship between health literacy and problematic Internet use. And based on stress-coping theory, we assess the mediating role of the subjective well-being in the relationship between health literacy and problematic Internet use. • Then based on protective factor-protective factor model, we assess the moderating effect of social support and explained the relationship between health literacy, subjective well-being, problematic Internet use, and social support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous evidence showed that Maladaptive Daydreaming (MD) is positively associated with different Problematic Online Behaviors (POBs). This study aimed to investigate the mutual relationship between MD and several POBs. Data were collected from 1209 participants, aged 18–73 (M = 30.59, SD = 12.26), through self-report questionnaires assessing MD and POBs, including problematic online gambling, problematic online gaming, problematic cybersex, Problematic Social Media Use (PSMU), problematic online shopping, and cyberchondria. Two psychometric network analyses were performed to examine the associations between all POBs at item levels, and between MD and POBs at construct levels. Results revealed six distinct communities, supporting the specificity of each POB. Furthermore, MD was found to be more strongly associated with PSMU and cyberchondria, and weakly associated with problematic online gaming, problematic cybersex, and problematic online shopping. The mutual relationships between MD and POBs might have relevant implications for the assessment and treatment of these clinical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The objective of this study is to examine the influence and the role of social acceptance and self-esteem on problematic internet use among adolescents in Padang, Indonesia. A cross-sectional study design was used in this study, with a convenience sampling technique involving 668 participants (259 males and 409 females) from twenty-one junior high schools and senior high schools. The data collection instruments that have been used in this study are the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2, the Self-Esteem Scale, and Social Acceptance scale. The data collected from the adolescents was then analyzed in a quantitative and descriptive method. Descriptive analysis included the collection of general demographic data, quantitative analysis using correlation analysis statistics to ascertain relationships between variables, and evaluation of influence and mediation effects between research variables using SEM (Structural Equation Model). The findings of the research indicate a significant negative correlation between self-esteem and problematic internet use, as well as between social acceptance and problematic internet use. Furthermore, it was discovered that problematic internet use behavior is partially mediated by social acceptance and self-esteem. In conclusion, self-esteem and social acceptance demonstrate a significant relationship and can predict problematic internet use among adolescents in Padang city, Indonesia. The results and findings of the research lead to recommendations and suggestions regarding the prevention and reduction of Problematic Internet Use among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Previous research has indicated that personality traits, loneliness, and problematic internet use (PIU) significantly contribute to the prevalence of adolescent depression. However, the specific interrelationships among these variables in explaining the occurrence of depression remain unclear. Drawing upon susceptibility theory and cognitive-behavioral theory, this study explored whether personality traits influences adolescent depression through loneliness and PIU. Methods A total of 2476 adolescents (aged 12–18) from all over the country completed a psycho-social test, including the 10-Item Big Five Personality Inventory (BFI-10), three-Item Loneliness Scale (T-ILS), Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire-Short Form (PIUQ-SF-6) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The mediation model was built and bootstrap method was used to test the mediating effect. Results Results showed that neuroticism, conscientiousness, openness, and agreeableness have a direct role on depression. Loneliness and PIU partially mediated the relationship between neuroticism, conscientiousness, agreeableness and depression, and completely mediated the relationship between extroversion and depression. Conclusions The results suggest that loneliness and PIU play important mediating roles in the relationship between personality traits and depression. This remind us that alleviating sense of loneliness and reducing overuse of the internet are a strategy for improve depression among adolescents.

Abstract Background Problematic Internet use (i.e., Internet use that disrupts functioning in other important domains; PIU) is increasingly prevalent worldwide, particularly among youth. One form of PIU relates specifically to interpersonal interaction and communication, deemed social PIU. Social PIU has been linked to various forms of psychopathology, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Yet with limited longitudinal research, the direction of this association remains unclear. Moreover, little research investigates whether social PIU is linked to one or both symptom dimensions of ADHD (inattention vs. hyperactivity/impulsivity). Methods The present study utilized data from the largest extant longitudinal study of girls with childhood-diagnosed ADHD (N = 228). Linear regression and structural equation models were used to analyze social PIU as both a prospective predictor and outcome of ADHD symptoms. Results Inattentive ADHD symptoms were positively associated with concurrent social PIU in initial regression models but were non-significant in path analyses. Social PIU was only marginally significant in predicting subsequent inattention six years later. Symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity were unrelated to social PIU among girls at either time point. Conclusions Inattentive ADHD symptoms were initially positively linked to concurrent problems with social Internet use, but bidirectional associations were non-significant in path analyses. Relations between PIU and ADHD in girls may be less robust than previously thought, although further longitudinal research with clinical samples is needed to clarify which groups of adolescents are particularly vulnerable to social PIU and its long-term effects.

Abstract Background Loneliness was associated with interpersonal sensitivity, but the factors contributing to this relationship in nursing students remain unclear. This study investigated the relationship between loneliness and interpersonal sensitivity among nursing undergraduates, with a specific focus on the mediating roles played by problematic internet use and bedtime procrastination. Method This study was conducted as a cross-sectional survey at a university in China between November and December 2022. Data were collected using a self-administered online questionnaire that included demographic characteristics, the Three-Item Loneliness Scale (T-ILS), the Chinese Version of Short Form of Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM-CS), the 6-item short form of the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire (PIUQ-SF-6), and the Bedtime Procrastination Scale (BPS). Pearson correlation analysis was employed to explore the relationships among loneliness, interpersonal sensitivity, problematic internet use, and bedtime procrastination. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted using AMOS software to examine the mediating role of problematic internet use and bedtime procrastination between loneliness and interpersonal sensitivity. Results Loneliness was positively related to interpersonal sensitivity among nursing undergraduates (β = 0.44, P

With the growing attention paid to problematic internet use (PIU), this study aims to i) explore the prevalence of PIU based on a nationally representative sample and ii) propose and validate the theoretical model that correlates family climate with PIU. One national cross-sectional study was conducted with probability sampling and stratified sampling. Overall, 21,854 sample were included and analyzed. Validated measures of family climate, loneliness, and PIU was distributed and collected from June 2022 to August 2022. The overall prevalence of PIU in the sample population is approximately 30.86 %. The model findings showed that family communication and family health had indirect effects of −0.12 and − 0.05 on PIU by the mediating effects of loneliness. The indirect effect explained 80.0 % of the total effect of family communication on PIU and 38.5 % of family health on PIU, highlighting the dominance effects of path family communication and PIU via loneliness. Extended family type (−0.047, p = 0.050), low family income (income≤3000 group, −0.127, p < 0.001) were identified as protective factors against PIU, while not living with family members (0.034, p = 0.021) was identified as risk factors of PIU. The nature of cross-sectional data have the limitation of preventing examining the casual relationships of PIU and the loneliness and family climate, in which future longitudinal study design is needed. The high prevalence of PIU should be given adequate attention. Optimizing the family climate or family atmosphere by improving positive communication skills, providing family support and family health external resources can be served as effective strategies for controlling PIU. • High prevalence of PIU was found among northwest and middle China and young population. • The path family communication and PIU via loneliness counted 80 % of the total effects. • Extended family type, low family income were protective factors against PIU. • Not living with family members was predictors of developing PIU. • Optimizing the family climate and reducing loneliness are effective strategy against PIU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Next to popular term Internet addiction, problematic Internet use (PIU) has established itself as an umbrella term for all types of repetitive impairing behaviors associated with new media technologies. Yet, debates about categorization, prevention, and treatment are nowhere near settled. When it comes to classification, medical-psychiatric research has so far retained authority. Here, PIU is examined primarily at the level of the individual user, and it is at this level that solutions are sought. Complementing this, research from critical algorithm studies and technology ethics emphasize the design of many applications as problematic, while cautioning against a determinist view of technology making people addicted. Based on new materialist conceptions of responsibility, the article argues for integrating the different perspectives into a relational understanding of co-addictive human–machine configurations. The goal is to capture the interactive character of PIU, and to achieve a well-calibrated distribution of responsibilities in avoiding destructive habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Graduate students exhibit vulnerability to problematic Internet use, which can result in adverse physical, psychological, and social consequences. However, limited studies have addressed this issue among graduate students, and even fewer have explored the unique factors contributing to their problematic Internet use. Therefore, to address this gap, the current study aims to probe the relationship between supervisor’s neuroticism and problematic Internet use among graduate students, the mediating effect of the supervisor-student relationship quality, as well as the moderating effect of fear of the supervisor’s negative evaluation. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 at three universities in Beijing, China. Anonymous data from 448 graduate students were collected regarding problematic Internet use, supervisor’s neuroticism, supervisor-student relationship quality, and the fear of the supervisor’s negative evaluation. A moderated mediation analysis was performed using Hayes’ PROCESS macro (Model 14). Results Supervisor’s neuroticism was positively linked to graduate students’ problematic Internet use, supervisor-student relationship quality mediated the linkage, and fear of the supervisor’s negative evaluation played a moderating role in the second stage. Specifically, for students lower in fear of the supervisor’s negative evaluation, supervisor-student relationship quality negatively predicted students’ problematic Internet use. While for the graduate students higher in fear of the supervisor’s negative evaluation, supervisor-student relationship quality could not significantly predict students’ problematic Internet use. The mediating effect was only significant for graduate students lower in fear of the supervisor’s negative evaluation. Conclusions This study established a theoretical model linking supervisor’s neuroticism to graduate students’ problematic Internet use, highlighting the potential roles of supervisor-student relationship quality and fear of the supervisor’s negative evaluation. Reducing the neuroticism level of the supervisor, enhancing the quality of the supervisor-student relationship, and mitigating students’ fear of the supervisor’s negative evaluation will contribute to the reduction of problematic Internet use among graduate students.

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Problematic Internet Use (PIU), emotional states of stress, anxiety and depression, and the practice of physical activity among Tunisian students. Methods Cross-sectional data were collected from 976 university students aged 20.76 ± 1.63 years (46.8% female). They filled out an online survey comprised of a socio-demographic questionnaire, the depression, anxiety and stress scale– 21 items (DASS-21), the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) and the compulsive internet use scale (CIUS). Students were divided, based on their economic levels, into three groups: low (n = 256, 26.23%), medium (n = 523, 53.59%) and high (n = 197, 20.18%). Results Mediation analysis: Indirect effects of IPAQ and gender on DASS-21 were highlighted: β= -0.18 (p

Abstract Objective From the perspective of exercise psychology, to investigate the antefacts of problematic internet use (PIU) in college students, and to reveal the chain mediating effect of self-control and loneliness between physical exercise and PIU. Methods 1081 college students in Chongqing, China were investigated by Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3), Self-control Scale (SCS), Loneliness Scale (UCLA), and Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS-R), and the data were statistically analyzed by SPSS25.0 and AMOS21.0 software. Results (1) There was a significant negative correlation between physical exercise and PIU, and the former has a direct negative predictive effect on the latter. (2) Physical exercise could indirectly influence the PIU of college students through the partial mediating effect of self-control and loneliness, respectively. (3) Physical exercise could also indirectly influence PIU through the chain mediation of “self-control → loneliness”. Conclusion Maintaining regular physical exercise can promote the improvement of self-control and the weakening of the loneliness experience of college students, and then help to prevent or alleviate PIU behavior, which is of great significance for psychological and behavioral health.

Objective: This study aims to explore how problematic internet use may affect the sleep quality of Chinese adolescents using the extended Stressor-Strain-Outcome (SSO) model. The model posits that stressors indirectly influence behavioral outcomes through the mediation of emotional and physiological strain responses. Method: A sample of 4,365 adolescents in China participated in this study, which utilized questionnaires and other methods to develop a novel SSO model. In this model, problematic internet use was considered as the stressor, anxiety as an indicator of tension, and sleep quality as the ultimate outcome. Family health was introduced as a moderating variable. Results: The study found that problematic internet use can significantly and positively predict adolescents' anxiety (ß = 0.132, p < 0.001) and sleep quality (ß = 0.362, p < 0.001). Furthermore, anxiety was identified as a significant mediating factor between problematic internet use and sleep quality [Effect = 0.066, p < 0.05, 95% CI (0.014, -0.0018)]. Family health was observed to have a moderating effect on the relationship between problematic internet use and anxiety (ß = -0.075, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The research indicates that problematic internet use not only directly increases individual anxiety as a stressor but also indirectly impacts sleep quality by exacerbating anxiety. However, a positive family health status can effectively moderate the adverse impact of problematic internet use on anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cognitive‐behavioral model of generalized Problematic Internet Use (PIU) is the theoretical approach that has obtained the most evidence on the study of this problem, which includes four components: Online Social Preference, Mood Regulation, Deficient Self‐Regulation, and Negative Outcomes. This study aimed to identify PIU profiles using Latent Profile Analysis, and to analyze the differences in them attending to some of the principal PIU risk and protective factors. A total of 675 Spanish adolescents completed questionnaires assessing PIU, Internet usage, mental health problems, personality, psychological strengths, and family relationships. Four profiles were obtained: Nonproblematic use (68.30% of the sample), Slightly problematic use (17.90% of the sample), Problematic use (8.50% of the sample), and Severe problematic use (5.40% of the sample). Results showed differences between them, with the profile with more PIU having more risk factors and less protective factors. Results showed that many different personal and social variables included in the study play a role in PIU. Knowing the different PIU profiles can help in the design of more specific and precise procedures and instruments for risk assessment, as well as aiding in prevention and in the design of more individualized treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Graduate students exhibit vulnerability to problematic Internet use, which can result in adverse physical, psychological, and social consequences. However, limited studies have addressed this issue among graduate students, and even fewer have explored the unique factors contributing to their problematic Internet use. Therefore, to address this gap, the current study aims to probe the relationship between supervisor's neuroticism and problematic Internet use among graduate students, the mediating effect of the supervisor-student relationship quality, as well as the moderating effect of fear of the supervisor's negative evaluation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 at three universities in Beijing, China. Anonymous data from 448 graduate students were collected regarding problematic Internet use, supervisor's neuroticism, supervisor-student relationship quality, and the fear of the supervisor's negative evaluation. A moderated mediation analysis was performed using Hayes' PROCESS macro (Model 14). Results: Supervisor's neuroticism was positively linked to graduate students' problematic Internet use, supervisor-student relationship quality mediated the linkage, and fear of the supervisor's negative evaluation played a moderating role in the second stage. Specifically, for students lower in fear of the supervisor's negative evaluation, supervisor-student relationship quality negatively predicted students' problematic Internet use. While for the graduate students higher in fear of the supervisor's negative evaluation, supervisor-student relationship quality could not significantly predict students' problematic Internet use. The mediating effect was only significant for graduate students lower in fear of the supervisor's negative evaluation. Conclusions: This study established a theoretical model linking supervisor's neuroticism to graduate students' problematic Internet use, highlighting the potential roles of supervisor-student relationship quality and fear of the supervisor's negative evaluation. Reducing the neuroticism level of the supervisor, enhancing the quality of the supervisor-student relationship, and mitigating students' fear of the supervisor's negative evaluation will contribute to the reduction of problematic Internet use among graduate students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) has continued to be a major issue for public health worldwide, especially among teenagers. Studies have found a certain correlation between NSSI and Problematic Internet Use (PIU). However, this relationship is still unclear among Chinese adolescents, a specific population. Hence, a meta-analysis was carried out on observational studies to explore the connection between NSSI and PIU in Chinese teenagers, aiming to provide more clarity on the correlation. Methods: To identify the link between NSSI and PIU, we scoured seven digital repositories until November 16, 2023. Employing a random-effects meta-analysis framework, we delved into the association between NSSI and PIU. Additionally, we carried out subgroup evaluations to scrutinize variables including geographical location, age demographics, research methodology, diagnostic instruments, gender, and variables controlled for confounding, like symptoms of depression. For amalgamating data, STATA software (version 16) was deployed. Results: In this analysis, we included 15 research papers encompassing a collective sample of 137,166 individuals. Our findings revealed a significant positive association between NSSI and PIU within the adolescent population in China, with an Odds Ratio (OR) of 2.02 and a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) ranging from 1.73 to 2.37. Notably, this correlation was markedly stronger in specific subgroups: adolescents from China's Western regions exhibited an OR of 4.22 (95% CI: 3.44, 5.18); middle school attendees had an OR of 2.09 (95% CI: 1.92, 2.28); those diagnosed with concurrent depression disorders showed an OR of 2.32 (95% CI: 1.98, 2.73); and female adolescents demonstrated an OR of 2.49 (95% CI: 2.26, 2.75), highlighting the nuanced dynamics of this relationship. Conclusion: This meta-analysis indicates that PIU among adolescents is associated with an increased risk of NSSI. Our findings underscore the importance of targeting specific populations, including those in the western region of China, middle school students, adolescents with comorbid depression disorders, and female adolescents, who may be at higher risk of PIU and subsequently NSSI. These results emphasize the need for tailored interventions and preventive strategies to address these intertwined issues effectively. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO, identifier CRD42024496579. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problematic internet use (PIU) has drawn attention due to its potentially negative consequences on individuals' social and personal lives. At present, a consensus on diagnostic criteria for problematic internet use remains elusive, leaving uncertainty regarding its classification as a distinct mental disorder. Extensive research efforts are underway to investigate its underlying causes, risk factors, and correlated adverse consequences. Nonetheless, research on problematic internet use (PIU) frequently faces challenges due to the absence of consistent and dependable evaluation methods, with many existing assessment tools lacking a solid theoretical basis. This study introduces a novel instrument that incorporates positive emotional regulation along with negative emotional regulation, compulsive use, and cognitive preoccupation, all crucial aspects of PIU. The study involved 3054 adolescents from Madrid, Spain, and employed exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to validate the instrument's structure. The resulting four-factor model includes Positive Emotional Regulation, Negative Emotional Regulation, Compulsive Use, and Cognitive Preoccupation. The instrument demonstrates good internal consistency and an association with risk factors, as evidenced by correlations with time spent on various internet-related activities. This comprehensive tool enhances our understanding of PIU and its underlying cognitive and emotional processes and provides a valuable resource for assessing and addressing problematic internet use in adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Problematic Internet use (PIU) in young people is a topic of great interest both in the field of addictions and mental health, but scientific evidence is limited in Latin America. The aim was to analyze the relationship between PIU and depression in Latin American college students. (2) Methods: The sample consisted of 1828 college students (63.7% women), aged between 18–30 years (M = 21.64 years). (3) Results: PIU was detected in 40.2% of cases, and severe or moderately severe depression in 31.7%. Rates of severe depression in students with PIU were 3.02 times higher than in those without PIU (χ2(3) = 168.443; p < 0.000). The presence of PIU was also statistically significantly higher among youth with depressive symptoms. Linear and logistic regression models for predicting PIU, show how the depression level constitutes a risk factor for PIU: seven times higher for severe depression; more than five times higher for moderate depression; and more than two times for mild depression. (4) Conclusions: There is a clear association between depression and PIU, suggesting that a higher level of depression would act as a predictor of PIU. However, this finding is exploratory. Future studies should clarify the directionality of the relationship between both variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol consumption and Internet use are highly prevalent behaviours among young adults and previous research has suggested that different addictive behaviours might be distinctly associated with personality. This study examined the role of big-5 personality traits in alcohol consumption and Internet use. Alcohol consumption, internet use, and personality traits were assessed on 457 Portuguese university students. Higher levels of neuroticism, and lower levels of conscientiousness and agreeableness were found to be associated both with harmful alcohol use and problematic internet use. Openness to experience was not correlated with either behaviour. Multiple linear regression showed that conscientiousness might be an important predictor of both alcohol consumption and Internet use. There is an important overlap in personality traits related to alcohol and the use of internet, but there are also clear differences in what regards extraversion. Conscientiousness should be promoted as a preventive strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Problematic Internet Use (PIU), emotional states of stress, anxiety and depression, and the practice of physical activity among Tunisian students. Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from 976 university students aged 20.76 ± 1.63 years (46.8% female). They filled out an online survey comprised of a socio-demographic questionnaire, the depression, anxiety and stress scale– 21 items (DASS-21), the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) and the compulsive internet use scale (CIUS). Students were divided, based on their economic levels, into three groups: low (n = 256, 26.23%), medium (n = 523, 53.59%) and high (n = 197, 20.18%). Results: Mediation analysis: Indirect effects of IPAQ and gender on DASS-21 were highlighted: β= -0.18 (p < 0.01) and β= -0.04, P < 0.01) respectively. In addition, a significant and negative effect of IPAQ on CIUS was demonstrated (β = -0.45, P < 0.01). In addition, the effect of CIUS on DASS-21 was significant (β = 0.39, P < 0.01). Also, the effect of gender on CIUS was significant (β=-0.10, P < 0.01) However, its effect on DASS-21 was not significant (β = 0.05, p = 0.078). The total effect of IPAQ on DASS21 was significant (β= -0.52, p < 0.01) but the effect of Gender on DASS-21 was not significant (β = 0.01, p = 0.817). Moderation analysis: the results showed a significant moderation effect of the interaction between IPAQ and Gender on CIUS (β = 0.07, p < 0.01). However, it was not significant between Gender and CIUS on DASS-21 (β = 0.09, p = 0.390) and between IPAQ and Gender on DASS21 (β = 0.01, p = 0.736) Also, the interaction between IPAQ and CIUS did not have a significant moderation effect on DASS-21 (β = 0.15, p = 0.115). Conclusions: Findings suggest that relationships between PIU and negative emotional state of depression, anxiety and stress are mediated via physical exercise. These results underscore the importance of the physical activity factor in the studies analyzing longitudinal effects of PIU on mental health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time perspectives are the vital personality traits contributing to problematic internet use (PIU), which can be classified as the protective time perspective (future orientation) and the risky time perspective (present and past orientations). The future time perspective diminished the risk of developing PIU whereas present and past time perspectives made individuals vulnerable to PIU. Nevertheless, the systematic examination of the dual effects of time perspectives on PIU and the longitudinal relation between them is still an unsolved issue. Based on the interaction of person-affect-cognition-execution (I-PACE) model, the current study employed a three-wave longitudinal study, aiming to examine the potential dual pathways from time perspectives to PIU and the mediating role of coping styles among 539 Chinese adolescents (46.38% females, M = 15.35, SD = 1.36). Results indicated that the risky time perspective positively predicted PIU, while the protective time perspective negatively predicted PIU. In addition, the risky time perspective indirectly affected PIU by facilitating negative coping styles and reducing positive coping styles, whereas the protective time perspective indirectly influenced PIU by increasing positive coping styles. Findings support the I-PACE model and provide both theoretical significance and practical implications on intervening PIU among Chinese adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Internet, while offering convenience, can also have negative impacts on learning and quality of life. Previous studies have demonstrated a negative correlation between pathological Internet use and academic performance, but the nature of this relationship in relation to development remains unclear. Utilizing a large sample, the current study aimed to compare the incidence of problematic Internet use across different age groups and explore how the correlation between problematic Internet use and math performance varies with the age of students. Cluster random sampling was used to distribute questionnaires to students in a city in eastern China. A total of 17,208 fourth-grade students (age: M = 9.79, SD = 0.44) and 11,127 eighth-grade students (age: M = 13.65, SD = 0.54) participated in this study. They were asked to complete the Pathological Internet Usage Scale and several math-achievement tests. The results revealed that: (1) A smaller proportion of upper-grade students exhibited problematic Internet use compared to lower-grade students; (2) There was a significant negative correlation between problematic Internet use and math performance; and (3) This correlation was less pronounced among older student.These results suggest that the negative correlation between problematic Internet use and math achievement decreases with age, and this reduced correlation may be linked to increased academic stress. As Chinese students advance in grades, their academic responsibilities become more burdensome, leading to reduced Internet usage. The findings of this study aim to provide insights into enhancing the academic performance of students with problematic Internet use through environmental education interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: In this study, we explored whether and how the indirect effects of father– and mother–adolescent conflict between PIU and academic engagement differ between female and male adolescents. Background: Problematic internet use (PIU) is an important health issue for adolescents. It has been found to be related to severe impairment in their interpersonal relationships (e.g., parent–child relationships) and academic outcomes (e.g., academic engagement), particularly during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Method: A national survey was conducted in diverse regions of the Chinese mainland, and a total of 2,688 adolescents between 10 and 19 years old (52.8% girls, Mage = 14.06 ± 2.47) participated in the study. Correlation and mediation analyses were conducted and were stratified by gender. Results: Multigroup analysis indicated that PIU was similarly and positively associated with father– and mother–adolescent conflict in adolescent boys and girls, whereas only father–adolescent conflict was negatively related to boys' academic engagement and only mother–adolescent conflict was negatively related to girls' academic engagement. Conclusion: These results support the same‐gender matching model in parent–adolescent conflict and expand the same‐gender effect to Chinese culture. Implications: These findings have important implications for understanding the mechanisms of how adolescent PIU impedes academic engagement through parent–adolescent conflict in father–son, father–daughter, mother–son, and mother–daughter dyads, indicating that family interventions focused on father–son and mother–daughter relationships may largely facilitate adolescents' academic engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the dual context of the continued growth of the Chinese need for uniqueness and the popularity of Internet use among Chinese youth, this study examined the relationship between need for uniqueness and problematic Internet use and its mechanism (the multiple mediating effects of stress and ego depletion). Using a three-wave longitudinal design, a total of 470 Chinese adolescents (girls = 237, Mage = 13.13, SD = 0.67) were tested by the Need for Uniqueness Scale, Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale (DASS-21), Ego Depletion Scale and Problematic Internet Use Scale. The results showed that: (1) Need for uniqueness, stress, ego depletion and problematic Internet use were positively correlated with each other. (2) Mediation model test indicates that stress had a significant mediating effect between need for uniqueness and problematic Internet use. The chain mediating effect of stress and ego depletion was also significant. However, ego depletion cannot mediate the relationship between need for uniqueness and problematic Internet use. In conclusion, this study suggests that the need for uniqueness is not only directly associated with problematic Internet use in adolescents but also through stress and the chain mediating effect of stress and ego depletion. These findings support the Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution model for Internet addiction (I-PACE) and provide new insights for the prevention and intervention of problematic Internet use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a prevalent mental health issue and has been reliably associated with problematic internet use (PIU), an escalating concern. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of two theoretically derived internet affordances—seeking social connections online and safety-seeking behaviors online—in this relationship, and to compare their relative impact. Using a sample of 537 adult volunteers and self-report measures, we tested a structural equation model to probe their contributions. Results indicate that individuals with more SAD symptoms tended to use the internet more for both internet affordances, which in turn increased the likelihood of PIU. The relative contribution of safety behaviors in the relationship between SAD and PIU was five times stronger than seeking social connections online. We discuss our results in the context of an affordance-based approach to research internet behaviors and delve into potential clinical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motor impulsivity may be a predictor for generalized and specific problematic Internet uses in university students. The possible mediating role of coping style needs to be further researched. Among a sample of 726 Spanish university students, the present study examined the direct and indirect associations of motor impulsivity with generalized problematic internet use (GPIU), problematic social media use (PSMU), and problematic online gaming (POG), and the potential mediational role of coping styles. Results reported that motor impulsivity was directly associated with GPIU, PSMU, and POG, and indirectly associated with these problematic behaviours via the disengagement coping style. However, the engagement coping style did not play a mediating role. These findings suggest that disengagement coping style may, in part, explain the association between motor impulsivity and university students´ GPIU, PSMU, and POG, and provide empirical evidence for the theoretical hypothesis that different types of online problem behaviours share some aetiological mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies focused on the escalating prevalence of Problematic Use of Internet (PUI) and its consequential impact on mental health globally. This study investigates the relationship between PUI and associated psychological variables across different cultural contexts in Italy, Spain, Ecuador, and Peru. Method: A total of 675 participants, aged 18 to 54 (M = 22.73; SD = 4.05), completed measures assessing Internet addiction, social media addiction, Fear of Missing Out, Internet Gaming Disorder, and Phubbing. Results: Significant cultural variations were found, with Italian participants showing higher levels of Internet addiction but lower levels of social media addiction compared to other countries. Fear of Missing Out was higher in Italy, while the Italian sample exhibited lower Internet Gaming Disorder levels compared to Peru. As regards the communication disturbance caused by Phubbing, the Italian sample demonstrated significantly higher scores than the Peruvian sample. Linear regression analyses revealed distinct predictors for problematic Internet use in each country, emphasizing the importance of considering the cultural context in understanding this phenomenon. Conclusions: These findings contribute valuable insights into the interplay of cultural factors, psychological variables, and problematic Internet use, guiding future research and interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Problematic internet usage, a significant and growing global problem in adolescents, is associated with the risk of future behavioural problems. This research explains the relationships between the factors affecting problematic Internet use among adolescents using the Structural Equation Modelling technique. Methods: The study group comprised 756 adolescents studying in different schools. Descriptive statistics of the variables, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modelling were used in the data analysis. Results: A positive relationship was obtained between deprivation and control difficulty, impairment of functioning, and social isolation. It was found that the effect of impairment of functioning and social isolation on control difficulty was statistically significant. In addition, the study determined that the relationship between impairment of functioning and social Isolation was significant. When the coefficients related to path analysis were tested, it was found that the effect of impairment of functioning on deprivation was not statistically significant, whereas the effect of control difficulty and social isolation on deprivation was statistically significant. Conclusions: There is a positive relationship between deprivation and problematic internet use, control difficulty, and social isolation, and a negative relationship with impaired functioning. In addition, it was concluded that the model created for the path analysis showed a good fit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is clear evidence linking trauma, mindfulness, dissociation and problematic internet use (PIU). Nonetheless, little is known about the role trait mindfulness and dissociative experiences may have in the relationship between childhood emotional abuse (CEA) and PIU, as well as the role that gender may have in such relationships. In the current research, self‐report questionnaires on CEA, trait mindfulness, dissociative experiences and PIU were administered to 1074 Italian adolescents (50% females) aged 14–17 years old, to test whether trait mindfulness and dissociative experiences mediated the relationship between CEA and PIU, and whether the proposed mediation was invariant across genders. Furthermore, the main analyses were controlled for background variables. The findings highlighted significant associations between all direct and indirect paths and invariance of the mediation model across boys and girls. The results of this study highlight that emotionally abused boys and girls with high levels of dissociation and inadequate mindful skills may be more exposed to dysfunctional online activities. Hence, developing dissociation‐focused and mindfulness‐based interventions for emotionally abused adolescents may be clinically effective when building tailored approaches for the prevention and management of PIU. Further implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study draws from family systems theory to investigate the relationships between parents' Internet practices, adolescent age (as a proxy for child development), and adolescents' perceptions of parent-adolescent relationship quality. Secondary data analysis of 4,592 U.S. parent-adolescent dyads from a nationally representative cross-sectional survey revealed that when parents reported having more problematic Internet use, adolescents (ages 12–17) reported having worse relationships with their parents. Stricter rules regarding Internet usage were associated with lower parent-adolescent relationship quality. This negative relationship was more pronounced for adolescents 14.55 years old and older. Unexpectedly, having stricter rules about Internet content was related to better parent-adolescent relationship quality; this association was weaker for older adolescents. The findings provide insight into the differences between restrictive Internet mediation practices about time and content, the importance of examining parents' problematic Internet use, and the need for considering children's development when examining the role of media in the family system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spurred by the rapid modernisation of the sector and the advent of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), audiovisual (AV) piracy is at epidemic levels, with interventions having limited effect. To date, the dominant themes in interventions have been around personal deterrence (i.e. the threat of legal action) and have not considered other factors that may influence an individual's decision to consume infringing content. In this paper, we consider psychological factors, including perceptions around risk-taking, security behaviours, problematic internet use and personality traits, to gain a comprehensive understanding of factors influencing engagement with IPTV and the potential implications for cyber security. For this purpose, a survey was conducted with 283 participants living in the UK (age range 18–74, male 104), and an integrated structural equation model was constructed. Our findings showed a positive relationship between security behaviours and the perceived risk of viewing IPTV and a negative relationship between the dark personality triad and the perceived risk of viewing IPTV. They suggest that security behaviours fully mediate the relationship between problematic internet use and IPTV risk-taking, indicating a potential new path for anti-piracy interventions with greater efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyses the role of social support in Internet use, focusing on when it leads to problematic or functional use in male and female adolescents. Three research hypotheses state: (1) when offline social support is low, online social support leads to a problematic Internet use; (2) when offline social support is high, online social support leads to a functional Internet use; (3) significant differences between male and female adolescents in both the online and offline dimensions considered. Results showed that the positive social interaction factor of online social support positively predicts problematic Internet use and that the latter is negatively affected by offline social support (affectionate dimension). Furthermore, online social support predicts functional Internet use (positive social interaction factor), while offline social support has no such effect. Finally, gender differences occur: males show higher problematic Internet use, and a higher number of friends and acquaintances than females, while females show higher online and offline social support than males. Implications of this research are particularly relevant for schools (e.g., teachers), families (parents, caregivers, etc.), and policy maker, so that they can support adolescents in the construction and development of offline friendly relationships and promote a functional use of the Internet for preventing its negative effects with active educational policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies in recent years have shown a significant increase in problematic internet use. Prolonged internet usage negatively impacts various aspects of adolescents' lifestyles. Methods: The survey was conducted in three Lithuanian cities—Vilnius, Klaipėda, and Molėtai—between October and December of 2023. The survey involved students between the ages of 12 and 16. The participants completed a questionnaire that included questions about wellness and happiness, the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Our study aimed to investigate problematic internet use among Lithuanian adolescents and its relationships with wellness, happiness, and mental health. Results: This study included 1412 adolescents, with a mean age of 14.41 ± 1.20, with the sample composed of 52.3% boys. Boys indicated that they felt healthier and happier than girls (69.4% vs. 47.4%; 51.4% vs. 29.6%), p < 0.001. A total of 20.8% of students had IAT scores that reflect a normal level of internet usage. For IAT, the average score of girls was statistically significantly higher than that of boys (41.87 ± 12.24 vs. 39.96 ± 12.37), p < 0.001. The IAT score was higher in the group of students who felt less happy and healthy, had more frequent headaches or abdominal pain, and had problems with sleep, p < 0.001. A statistically significant, positive weak correlation was found between students' IAT scores and SDQ internalizing and SDQ externalizing scores (r = 0.366; r = 0.385, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Prolonged internet use is arising as a serious problem among adolescents. Negative feelings, unhappiness, and poor emotion regulation have an association with internet addiction. Also, the female gender may be more associated with possible internet addiction. The results of this study can serve as initial steps toward developing preventive interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young people use slang for identifying themselves with a particular social group, gaining social recognition and respect from that group, and expressing their emotional state. One feature of Internet slang is its active use by youth in online communication, which, under certain conditions, may cause problematic Internet use (PIU). We conducted two studies in young Russian speakers (n1 = 115, n2 = 106). In study 1, participants were asked to rate a set of slang and common words using Self-Assessment Manikin. The study revealed that the most reliable predictor of higher emotional ratings was word familiarity. There were no significant effects of slang vs. common words or word frequency. In study 2, we used a dual lexical decision task to reveal the effects of word characteristics and propensity for PIU on reaction time (RT) for Internet slang words in pairs with semantically related vs. unrelated common words. Study 2 did not reveal any significant semantic priming effect. Word frequency was a significant predictor of lexical decision facilitation. Common, but not slang, word valence and dominance significantly affected RT in the opposite direction. Individuals with higher cognitive preoccupation with the Internet responded significantly faster, while those more likely to use online communication for mood regulation responded significantly slower to the stimuli. Apparently, on explicit and implicit levels, in-depth knowledge of Internet slang can be one the PIU markers. The results are discussed in line with Davis’ approach to determining the general pathological Internet use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionThe role played by impulsivity in problematic internet use (PIU) is the object of much debate among researchers. Some studies emphasize its importance, while others suggest mental distress or personality traits may be more crucial. More research into the issue is clearly needed—especially in at-risk populations like people with disabilities. The objectives of this study were therefore to investigate the relationship between PIU and impulsivity among university students with disabilities, and to develop a specific predictive model for this group that would include psychological and life-functioning variables.MethodsA cross-sectional design was used with a sample of 240 Spanish university students with disabilities from seven universities. Several instruments were used for data collection: a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM), and NEO-FFI-R.ResultsThe results indicated that impulsivity is significantly correlated with PIU, as indeed it also is with other factors like conscientiousness and social functioning problems. The study's regression model explained nearly 50% of PIU variance, with impulsivity, personality traits, wellness and health indicators, and social media usage as predictive variables.DiscussionThis suggests that interventions should consider these psychological and lifestyle variables as a means of mitigating PIU risks in students with disabilities. The findings identify a need for further longitudinal studies to understand the causality and develop targeted prevention strategies.

Objective: To investigate attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and impulsivity among individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD) who also exhibit symptoms of problematic internet use (PIU). Methods: The study involved the participation of 360 patients with OUD enrolled at an alcohol and drug addiction treatment center (ADATC) from October to December 2022. Various assessment tools were administered, including Young’s Internet Addiction Scale (YIAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), and Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). PIU was identified by YIAS scores equal to or exceeding 50. Results: Most participants diagnosed with OUD had comorbid PIU, with high levels of depression, anxiety, and ADHD symptoms. Both BDI and BAI scores were significantly increased in the PIU group compared to the non-PIU group (p < 0.001). Significant differences were observed in BIS Motor Impulsivity, Attentional Impulsivity, and total scores, indicating higher impulsivity in the PIU group (all p < 0.001). Additionally, higher ASRS scores were found in the PIU group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of addressing PIU and comorbidities in OUD treatment. Interventions targeting ADHD symptoms and emotional well-being may benefit PIU management.

Problematic online behaviours are a concern among university students. Although previous research has identified that psychological distress, cognitive distortions, conscientiousness and neuroticism traits, motor impulsivity, and emotion regulation strategies have a significant direct effect on generalised problematic Internet use (GPIU), problematic social media use (PSMU), and problematic online gaming (POG), it is still necessary to determine the extent to which these psychological factors, taken together, are associated with each of the problematic online behaviours. In a sample of 690 Spanish university students, the present study examined the relationship of these psychological factors with GPIU, PSMU, and POG. Correlation and regression analyses were performed. Results reported that (1) high psychological distress, low conscientiousness trait and high motor impulsivity were common associated factors of GPIU and PSMU, but not of POG; (2) high levels of cognitive distortions and cognitive reappraisal were common associated factors of GPIU, PSMU and POG; and (3) expressive suppression and neuroticism trait had no effect on any of the three problematic online behaviours. The findings will help to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies for each problematic online behaviour in the university context.

IntroductionWhile the relationship between adolescent problematic Internet use (PIU) and depression has been extensively researched, few studies have investigated the role and mechanisms of social connectedness (SC) in this context. This study aimed to investigate the mediating effect of social connectedness (SC) and cognitive emotion regulation (CER) in the relationship between PIU and depression.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study involving 9,407 adolescents aged 12–18 years in China from September 2022 to March 2023. We employed Young’s 20-item Internet Addiction Test (IAT-20), the Social Connectedness Scale-Revised (SCS-R), the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Scale (CER), and the DSM-5 Level-2 Depression Scale to assess mental health outcomes. Logistic regression analysis was also performed to examine the independent association between the measured variables and depression. Mediation analysis was then conducted to evaluate the mediating roles of social connectedness and cognitive emotion regulation in the relationship between PIU and depression.ResultsWe found that the prevalence of PIU was 21.8%. Offline SC (indirect effect: 0.112, 95% CI: 0.104–0.121) and negative CER (indirect effect: 00.140, 95% CI: 0.129–0.152) mainly played a parallel mediating role in the relationship between PIU and depression, along with online SC (on_SC) (indirect effect: 0.007, 95% CI: 0.005–0.010).DiscussionThese findings provide valuable insights into how PIU is associated with depression and highlight the importance of fostering real-life interpersonal interactions. However, the generalizability of this study’s findings to other populations may be limited due to cultural factors.