Profiles of Problematic Internet Use and Its Impact on Adolescents’ Health-Related Quality of Life

Juan M. Machimbarrena, Joaquín González-Cabrera, Jéssica Ortega-Barón, Marta Beranuy-Fargues, Aitor Álvarez-Bardón and Blanca Tejero
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Juan M. Machimbarrena: Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20018 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
Joaquín González-Cabrera: Faculty of Education, Universidad Internacional de la Rioja (UNIR), 26006 Logrono, Spain
Jéssica Ortega-Barón: Faculty of Education, Universidad Internacional de la Rioja (UNIR), 26006 Logrono, Spain
Marta Beranuy-Fargues: Faculty of Education, Universidad Internacional de la Rioja (UNIR), 26006 Logrono, Spain
Aitor Álvarez-Bardón: Faculty of Education, Universidad Internacional de la Rioja (UNIR), 26006 Logrono, Spain
Blanca Tejero: Faculty of Education, Universidad Internacional de la Rioja (UNIR), 26006 Logrono, Spain

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 20, 1-17

Abstract: The internet has been a breakthrough for adolescents in many ways, but its use can also become dysfunctional and problematic, leading to consequences for personal well-being. The main objective is to analyze profiles related to problematic internet use and its relationship with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). An analytical and cross-sectional study was carried out in a region of northern Spain. The sample comprised 12,285 participants. Sampling was random and representative. Mean age and standard deviation was 14.69 ± 1.73 (11–18 years). The Spanish versions of the Problematic and Generalized Internet Use Scale (GPIUS2) and of the Health-Related Quality of Life (KIDSCREEN-27) were used. Four profiles were detected (non-problematic use, mood regulator, problematic internet use, and severe problematic use). The prevalence of these last two profiles was 18.5% and 4.9%, respectively. Problematic internet use correlated negatively and significantly with HRQoL. The severe problematic use profile presented a significant decrease in all dimensions of HRQoL. Analyses were carried out to extract a cut-off point for GPIUS2 (52 points). The results and practical implications are discussed.

Keywords: problematic internet use; health-related quality of life; adolescent; cut-off point; internet addiction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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