Characterizing problematic internet use in a sample of heavy drinking emerging adults.

Objective: Problematic internet use (PIU) is characterized by excessive or poorly controlled internet use resulting in impairment or distress. PIU is most prevalent during emerging adulthood, a period marked by an increase in psychiatric disorders, including substance use disorders (SUDs). In a sample of high-risk emerging adults, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between PIU and quality of life (QoL), psychiatric disorders, and impulsivity. Methods: Participants were a community sample of heavy drinking emerging adults in Hamilton, Ontario (N = 709). Measures included: PIU, QoL, eight psychiatric indicators, and three domains of impulsivity. All variables that were significantly associated with PIU were subsequently examined concurrently in structural equation models. Results: PIU was negatively associated with physical QoL (β = -0.27, p < .01) and social QoL (β = -0.20, p < .01), but positively associated with environmental QoL (β = 0.17, p < .01). For psychiatric conditions, PIU was positively associated with internalizing disorders (β = 0.42, p < .01) but not SUD (β = -0.01, p = .90). For impulsivity, PIU was positively associated with Lack of Perseverance (β = 0.16, p < .01) and Negative Urgency (β = 0.23, p < .01) but no other indicators. Conclusions: This study provides further evidence that PIU is associated with lower quality of life, selectively co-occurs with internalizing psychopathology, and is associated with certain impulsive traits. Lack of associations with SUD challenges conceptualizations of PIU as an alternative manifestation of externalizing psychopathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]