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Prevalence and Factors Associated with Problematic Internet Use in a Population of Spanish University Students

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Listed:
  • Enrique Ramón-Arbués

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Campus Universitario Villanueva de Gállego, Universidad San Jorge, Villanueva de Gállego, 50830 Zaragoza, Spain
    Research Group Transfercult (H27_20D), University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • José Manuel Granada-López

    (Research Group Transfercult (H27_20D), University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
    Department of Physiatrics and Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Zaragoza, C/Domingo Miral S/N, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
    Research Group Safety and Care (GIISA021), Institute of Research of Aragón, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Blanca Martínez-Abadía

    (Occupational Health and Prevention Service, Zaragoza City Council, P° de La Mina 9, 50001 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Emmanuel Echániz-Serrano

    (Research Group Transfercult (H27_20D), University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
    Department of Physiatrics and Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Zaragoza, C/Domingo Miral S/N, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Isabel Antón-Solanas

    (Department of Physiatrics and Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Zaragoza, C/Domingo Miral S/N, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
    Research Group Nursing Research in Primary Care in Aragón (GENIAPA) (GIIS094), Institute of Research of Aragón, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Michael Nash

    (School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College, University of Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland)

Abstract

(1) Background: To examine the prevalence, and associated factors of, problematic Internet use in a sample of Spanish university students. (2) Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study of a convenience sample of 698 university students. Self-esteem, alcohol consumption, perceived social support, depression, anxiety, stress and problematic Internet use were evaluated using the Rosenberg, CAGE, DUKE-UNC-11, DASS-21 and Young’s Internet Addiction Test, respectively. (3) Results: Problematic internet use was reported by 21% of respondents. Risk of problematic Internet use was independently associated with the preferred use of the smartphone, time of exposure to the Internet, less perceived social support, problematic alcohol consumption and symptoms of stress and anxiety. We found significant association between problematic internet use and time of exposure to the Internet, residential status, alcohol consumption, self-esteem, perceived social support and psychological distress, after bivariate analysis. (4) Conclusions: A considerable prevalence of problematic Internet use was found; in our sample problematic Internet use was associated with stress, alcohol consumption, anxiety and perceived social support. Strategies aimed at the early identification of problematic Internet use may lead to an improvement in the psychosocial health of the university student population.

Suggested Citation

  • Enrique Ramón-Arbués & José Manuel Granada-López & Blanca Martínez-Abadía & Emmanuel Echániz-Serrano & Isabel Antón-Solanas & Michael Nash, 2021. "Prevalence and Factors Associated with Problematic Internet Use in a Population of Spanish University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-12, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:14:p:7620-:d:596307
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rianne van Dijk & Inge E. van der Valk & Helen G. M. Vossen & Susan Branje & Maja Deković, 2021. "Problematic Internet Use in Adolescents from Divorced Families: The Role of Family Factors and Adolescents’ Self-Esteem," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-14, March.
    2. Hsiao-Ching Chen & Jiun-Yi Wang & Ying-Lien Lin & Shang-Yu Yang, 2020. "Association of Internet Addiction with Family Functionality, Depression, Self-Efficacy and Self-Esteem among Early Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-13, November.
    3. Daria J. Kuss & Mark D. Griffiths, 2011. "Online Social Networking and Addiction—A Review of the Psychological Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-25, August.
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    1. Ünverdi, Seher & Sarıkaya Karabudak, Seher, 2025. "Relationship between parents’ problematic internet use levels and child abuse potential," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).

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