Problematic Online Behaviours among University Students and Associations with Psychological Distress Symptoms and Emotional Role Limitations: A Network Analysis Approach.

Very little research has simultaneously explored the interactions between generalized problematic internet use (GPIU), problematic social media use (PSMU), problematic online gaming (POG), psychological distress, and emotional well-being among university students. Therefore, the present study aimed...

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Publicado en:International Journal of Mental Health & Addiction Vol. 23; no. 5; pp. 3368 - 3395
Autores principales: Sánchez-Fernández, Magdalena, Borda-Mas, Mercedes, Rivera, Francisco, Griffiths, Mark D.
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Springer Nature Oct2025
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Oct2025
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      pub: Springer Nature
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        atl: Problematic Online Behaviours among University Students and Associations with Psychological Distress Symptoms and Emotional Role Limitations: A Network Analysis Approach.
      aug:
        au:
          Sánchez-Fernández, Magdalena
          Borda-Mas, Mercedes
          Rivera, Francisco
          Griffiths, Mark D.
        affil:
          https://ror.org/03yxnpp24 Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, University of Seville (Universidad de Sevilla), Seville, Spain
          https://ror.org/03yxnpp24 Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Seville (Universidad de Sevilla), Seville, Spain
          https://ror.org/04xyxjd90 International Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
      su:
        Psychological distress
        Internet addiction
        Operant behavior
        College students
        Social media
        Video games
        Psychological well-being
        Communication network analysis
      sug:
        subj:
          Psychological distress
          Internet addiction
          Operant behavior
          College students
          Social media
          Video games
          Psychological well-being
          Home entertainment equipment merchant wholesalers
          Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing
          Video game publishers
          Video game design and development services
          Communication network analysis
      keyword:
        Emotional well-being
        Network analysis
        Problematic online behaviours
        Psychology and Cognitive Sciences Psychology
        Emotional well-being
        Network analysis
        Problematic online behaviours
        Psychology and Cognitive Sciences Psychology
      ab: Very little research has simultaneously explored the interactions between generalized problematic internet use (GPIU), problematic social media use (PSMU), problematic online gaming (POG), psychological distress, and emotional well-being among university students. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine (i) the associations between GPIU, PSMU, and POG symptoms, (ii) whether symptoms of these three problematic online behaviours form distinct entities, and (iii) whether there are associations between problematic online behaviours, psychological distress symptoms, and emotional role limitations using network analysis. A total of 807 Spanish university students participated (57.7% female; M = 21.22 years [SD = 3.68]). Two network models were computed. Network 1 showed a complex interaction of nodes, with particularly strong connections between analogous symptoms of GPIU and PSMU. Symptoms organised into distinct dimensions, featuring a unique dimension for POG symptoms, one that includes preoccupation and a conflict symptom of GPIU, and two other dimensions with symptoms of GPIU and PSMU. Network 2 showed significant connections between GPIU and depression, GPIU and emotional role limitations, PSMU and anxiety, PSMU and emotional role limitations, POG and depression, and POG and anxiety. The findings support the conceptualization of GPIU as a nonspecific disorder, the independence of PSMU and POG as distinct constructs, and aligning with perspectives that separate POG from the GPIU spectrum. The study reinforces the model of compensatory internet use and emphasizes the impact of problematic online behaviours on emotional well-being. The findings have practical implications for the assessment and intervention of problematic online behaviours.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Article
      src: R
    language: English
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