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Internet Addiction among Young Adult University Students: The Complex Interplay between Family Functioning, Impulsivity, Depression, and Anxiety

Author

Listed:
  • Eleonora Marzilli

    (Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli, 1, cap. 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Luca Cerniglia

    (Faculty of Psychology, International Telematic University Uninettuno, 00186 Roma, Italy)

  • Giulia Ballarotto

    (Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli, 1, cap. 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Silvia Cimino

    (Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli, 1, cap. 00185 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

International research has underlined that both interpersonal, self-regulation, and comorbid variables can lead to a higher risk of developing internet addiction (IA) among young adults. To date, no studies have explored the interplay between young adults’ family functioning, impulsivity, and psychopathological difficulties. In a community sample of 244 young adult university students, this study aims to assess the relationship between young adults’ IA and young adults’ gender, the perception of their family functioning, impulsivity level, and depressive and anxiety symptoms, considering the possible interplay between these variables. The presence and the severity of IA were addressed through the Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Moreover, young adults filled out self-reporting questionnaires, assessing their perception of family functioning and their impulsivity levels and psychopathological symptoms. Results showed no significant association between the youth’s gender and IA. However, moderately addicted young adults were more likely to report poorer quality of family affective involvement and higher attentional impulsivity and depressive problems than other groups. Moreover, young adults’ attentional impulsivity mediated the relationship between family affective involvement and IA. This study provides new evidence on the complex interaction between individuals and interpersonal risk factors involved in IA among young adults, with important implications for the planning of intervention treatments.

Suggested Citation

  • Eleonora Marzilli & Luca Cerniglia & Giulia Ballarotto & Silvia Cimino, 2020. "Internet Addiction among Young Adult University Students: The Complex Interplay between Family Functioning, Impulsivity, Depression, and Anxiety," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:21:p:8231-:d:441348
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Li, Jinfeng & Li, Dongping & Jia, Jichao & Li, Xian & Wang, Yanhui & Li, Yang, 2018. "Family functioning and internet addiction among adolescent males and females: A moderated mediation analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 289-297.
    2. Katajun Lindenberg & Katharina Halasy & Carolin Szász-Janocha & Lutz Wartberg, 2018. "A Phenotype Classification of Internet Use Disorder in a Large-Scale High-School Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-11, April.
    3. Silvia Cimino & Luca Cerniglia & Giulia Ballarotto & Eleonora Marzilli & Esterina Pascale & Claudio D’Addario & Walter Adriani & Angelo Giovanni Icro Maremmani & Renata Tambelli, 2019. "Children’s DAT1 Polymorphism Moderates the Relationship Between Parents’ Psychological Profiles, Children’s DAT Methylation, and Their Emotional/Behavioral Functioning in a Normative Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-20, July.
    4. Kuan-Ying Hsieh & Ray C. Hsiao & Yi-Hsin Yang & Tai-Ling Liu & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2018. "Predictive Effects of Sex, Age, Depression, and Problematic Behaviors on the Incidence and Remission of Internet Addiction in College Students: A Prospective Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-10, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Manji Hu & Lin Xu & Wei Zhu & Tingting Zhang & Qiang Wang & Zisheng Ai & Xudong Zhao, 2022. "The Influence of Childhood Trauma and Family Functioning on Internet Addiction in Adolescents: A Chain-Mediated Model Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-13, October.
    2. Giulia Ballarotto & Barbara Volpi & Renata Tambelli, 2021. "Adolescent Attachment to Parents and Peers and the Use of Instagram: The Mediation Role of Psychopathological Risk," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-13, April.
    3. Simone Rollo & Claudia Venuleo & Lucrezia Ferrante & Raffaele De Luca Picione, 2023. "What Adolescents Have to Say about Problematic Internet Use: A Qualitative Study Based on Focus Groups," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(21), pages 1-19, November.
    4. Giulia Ballarotto & Eleonora Marzilli & Luca Cerniglia & Silvia Cimino & Renata Tambelli, 2021. "How Does Psychological Distress Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Internet Addiction and Instagram Addiction in Emerging Adults?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-19, October.
    5. Silvia Cimino & Luca Cerniglia, 2021. "The Capacity to Be Alone Moderates Psychopathological Symptoms and Social Networks Use in Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-9, October.
    6. Renata Tambelli & Silvia Cimino & Eleonora Marzilli & Giulia Ballarotto & Luca Cerniglia, 2021. "Late Adolescents’ Attachment to Parents and Peers and Psychological Distress Resulting from COVID-19. A Study on the Mediation Role of Alexithymia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-17, October.
    7. Eleonora Marzilli & Luca Cerniglia & Renata Tambelli & Elena Trombini & Leonardo De Pascalis & Alessandra Babore & Carmen Trumello & Silvia Cimino, 2021. "The COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on Families’ Mental Health: The Role Played by Parenting Stress, Parents’ Past Trauma, and Resilience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-15, October.
    8. Eleonora Marzilli & Luca Cerniglia & Silvia Cimino & Renata Tambelli, 2022. "Internet Addiction among Young Adult University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Peritraumatic Distress, Attachment, and Alexithymia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-22, November.

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