Psychological Factors of Problematic Internet Use in Adolescent and Young Girls

Abstract

The article introduces a study of the problematic Internet use (PIU) interrelationship with psychological well-being, psychopathological symptoms, and various personality traits. The study involved 432 females aged 14 to 23 years old (M = 17.2, SD = 2) and evaluated with Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale (GPIUS3), Ten Item Personality Measure (TIPI), Perfectionism Inventory, Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale (HSNS), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Well-Being Index (WHO-5), and Symptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). The results indicate that PIU is associated with various psychopathological symptoms and a decrease in psychological well-being. According to multiple linear regression analysis, hypersensitive narcissism, perfectionism, and phobic anxiety are found to be significant predictors of PIU. Protective factors are Conscientiousness of the Big Five and the level of psychological well-being. The paper suggests risk and protective factors that must be considered when preventing the Problematic Internet Use in adolescent and young girls.

Keywords

• adolescence and youth
• problematic Internet use
• mental health
• psychological well-being
• personal traits
• narcissism
• perfectionism
• Big Five
• conscientiousness