The Impact of Addictive Behaviors and Online Behaviors on Adolescents’ Conflict Management Ability: A Psychosocial and Legal Perspective

Mihaela Rus (), Mariana Floricica Călin, Mihaela Luminița Sandu, Mihai Ștefănoaia, Carmen-Mihaela Baiceanu, Maria Pescaru, Constantina Alina Ilie Miloș (), Florin Lobonț and Ramona Băluțescu
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Mihaela Rus: Faculty of Law and Administrative Sciences, Ovidius University, Aleea Universității, nr. 1, 900470 Constanta, Romania
Mariana Floricica Călin: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ovidius University, Bulevardul Mamaia, nr. 124, 900527 Constanta, Romania
Mihaela Luminița Sandu: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ovidius University, Bulevardul Mamaia, nr. 124, 900527 Constanta, Romania
Mihai Ștefănoaia: Faculty of Law and Administrative Sciences, „Ștefan cel Mare” University Suceava, 720229 Suceava, Romania
Carmen-Mihaela Baiceanu: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ovidius University, Bulevardul Mamaia, nr. 124, 900527 Constanta, Romania
Maria Pescaru: Pitesti University Center, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 060042 București, Romania
Constantina Alina Ilie Miloș: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ovidius University, Bulevardul Mamaia, nr. 124, 900527 Constanta, Romania
Florin Lobonț: Faculty of Letters, History, Philosophy and Theologt, West University of Timișoare, Bd. Vasile Pârvan nr. 4, 300223 Timișoara, Romania
Ramona Băluțescu: Doctoral School of Philosophy, Sociology and Political Sciences, West University of Timișoare, Bd. Vasile Pârvan nr. 4, 300223 Timișoara, Romania

Societies, 2025, vol. 15, issue 5, 1-20

Abstract: This study explores the relationship between addictive behaviors, online behaviors, and adolescents’ ability to manage conflict. Effective conflict management is influenced by emotional self-regulation, empathy, and the digital environment. The literature suggests that deficits in these areas may exacerbate antisocial behavior and social adjustment difficulties. This study evaluates the influence of emotional intelligence, addictive behaviors, and online behaviors on conflict management. The hypotheses include adolescents with a high level of emotional adjustment who manage conflicts more effectively (H2) and that addictive and problematic online behaviors increase the risk of conflict escalation (H1, H3). The research involved 403 adolescents, selected through non-probabilistic methods using structured questionnaires. Statistical analysis included normality tests, Spearman’s correlations, and Mann-Whitney U tests to identify group differences. Adolescents with high emotional adjustment obtained significantly higher scores in conflict management and emotional self-regulation. Addictive and problematic online behaviors are associated with more significant difficulties in conflict management. Adolescents involved in minor crimes demonstrate deficits in emotion and conflict management. The results confirm the essential role of emotional intelligence in conflict management and the negative impact of addictive and problematic online behavior. Educational interventions promoting emotional intelligence development and responsible use of technology can reduce antisocial behaviors and improve adolescents’ social adjustment.

Keywords: emotional adaptation; behavior; online environment; management; conflict; aggression (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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