Relationship between view of the context, psychosocial malaise and problematic Internet use: mediation analysis using partial least squares structural equation modelling

Background: According to more recent approaches on Problematic Internet Use (PIU), using the Internet can be seen as a way to compensate for psychosocial malaise. Taking the Semiotic Cultural Psycho-social Theory as its theoretical framework, the present study examines the role of affect-laden assumptions concerning the world, known as “Latent Dimensions of Sense” (LDS), in promoting (or not) adaptive responses, including Internet use as a maladaptive strategy against problems and difficulties. Aims: We aimed to test a theoretical model in which PIU is predicted by LDS through the mediation of high levels of psychosocial malaise. Method: PIU (Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale – 2), LDS (View of Context questionnaire), negative affect (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule), social anxiety (Interaction Anxiousness Scale), and loneliness (Italian Loneliness Scale) were measured among 764 Italian adolescents (mean age =15.05 ± 1.152). LDS were detected through a Multiple Correspondence Analysis; after Confirmatory Composite Analysis, Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling with higher-order components was performed to test the mediation model. Results: The results show a relationship between LDS corresponding to an extreme, negative evaluation of the context, experienced as absolutely unreliable, and PIU through the mediation of psychosocial malaise (CI = [.101; .171]; p=.000). Conclusion: Overall, the findings suggest that PIU might be a way to compensate for unpleasant states in a context perceived in an extremely negative and homogenizing way, that is, as totally lacking resources and trustworthy people.