Relationship of Problematic Internet Use and Positive Orientation Indicators in Adolescents

Abstract

This paper investigates a model connecting problematic Internet use (PIU) and positive orientation (i.e., life satisfaction, self-esteem, and optimism as its indicators) in an adolescent population. The sample included 1263 adolescents (59.5% girls; Mage = 16.85 [SD = 1.01] years), attending four grammar schools and six vocational schools in Vojvodina, Serbia. The following scales were used: the Problematic Internet use, Satisfaction with life, Optimism and Pessimism, and Rosenberg Self Esteem scale. The tested model indicates that the extracted variables are good predictors of PIU, with 20% of the total variance explained. Pessimism was the main individual variable to explain the PIU variance. Future research should investigate the effects of situational contexts on the connection between mental health factors and PIU.

Keywords

• adolescents
• positive orientation
• pessimism
• problematic internet use