Combining socio-cultural and individual dimensions in the analysis of problematic internet use. An explorative study

The debate on how problematic internet use (PIU) can be conceptualized and explained is far from over. Scholars ‘opinions vary considerably regarding many different aspects of PIU, including whether and how psychosocial and cultural dimensions interact with individual vulnerability in increasing the likelihood of PIU. The present study starts by Caplan’s conceptualization of PIU as a preference for online social interaction and a mood regulation strategy, which may result in difficulties in self-regulation and negative outcomes. At the same time, the study explores the role of the socio-cultural context in influencing cognitive and affective factors. Measures of problematic internet use were administered along with measures aimed to detect symbolic universes by which the subjects interpret their micro and macro-social environment, negative affects, social anxiety, loneliness and social support, among 424 students from the 9th and 11th grade (age 13-19 year old) of public high schools in Southern Italy. Correlational Analyses have been performed to test relationships among the variables. Adolescent with PIU show to express higher level of negative affects (r=.37; p=.000), social anxiety (r=.31; p=.000), and loneliness (r=.28; p=.000), and lower level of social support (r=-.11; p=.015). Furthermore, symbolic universes characterized by a negative and anomic view of the social environment show to be related to higher preference for online interactions (r=- .13; p= .007) and negative consequences (r=.10; p=.034) and to higher levels of negative affects, social anxiety, and loneliness (r=-.21; r=-.18; r=-.34; p=.000 respectively) and social malaise (r=.53; p=.000). Findings support the idea that social-cultural factors might play a protective role on the individual vulnerability toward PIU. This points to the need for comprehensive programming of prevention that addresses social and cultural influences in the young preference for online interactions.