Problematic Internet Use in Adolescents from Divorced Families: The Role of Family Factors and Adolescents’ Self-Esteem

Abstract

Family functioning is salient in explaining adolescents’ problematic internet use (PIU), and precisely this family functioning is under pressure after parental divorce. Moreover, growing up with divorced parents is identified as a risk factor for PIU. Therefore, examining which factors are associated with adolescents’ PIU after divorce is particularly important. Based on self-report data from N = 244 adolescents of divorced families (49.6% boys, M = 13.42), structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the associations of PIU with interparental conflict, triangulation, maternal and paternal warmth, and adolescents’ self-esteem. Potential buffering effects of self-esteem were tested, as well as gender differences in associations. The results showed that more triangulation and less maternal warmth were related to higher levels of PIU, but these effects disappeared after adding self-esteem to the models. Adolescent self-esteem did not significantly buffer the effects of the different family factors on PIU, nor were there any significant gender differences in association. Hence, especially adolescents’ self-esteem seems to be a key aspect for PIU in adolescents from divorced families.

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

“…Online gaming and social media are the most common causes of PIU [ 21 , 22 ]. Other factors including availability of devices, amount of time in the Internet [ 23 , 24 ] and family disfunction and conflict [ 25 , 26 ] seem to also contribute to PIU. Several studies [ 8 , 22 , 27 , 28 ] have identified specific personality traits and behaviours associated with PIU, including high exploratory excitability, impulsive sensation-seeking, hostility, low self-esteem and isolation.…”

“…Depression: Normal (0-9 points), mild (10-13), moderate (14-20), severe (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27) and extremely severe (>27).…”

“…Stress: Normal (0-14 points), mild (15)(16)(17)(18), moderate (19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25), severe (26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33) and extremely severe (>33).…”

The influence of parenting on building character in adolescents

“…The mistakes in choosing peers can also lead to losing motivation to study, drug addiction, being involved in crimes, and they certainly will be isolated from surrounding people. If a group member tries to drink alcohol ( Meter et al., 2019 ; van Dijk et al., 2021 ), consume illegal drugs or smoke, other adolescents will do the same without paying attention to their feelings and the effects ( Hart et al., 2018 ; Livazović and Ham, 2019 ). It means that the influence of peers is strong on the development of the social relationship and education of adolescents.…”

Executive Functions and Problematic Internet Use among University Students: The Mediator Role of Self-Esteem

“…In addition, they are also more likely to compare themselves to other people online than those with high self-esteem. Reliance on online interaction as a means of achieving more positive self-evaluation could lead to problematic online habits [9]. Therefore, people who manifest low levels of self-esteem and, therefore, problems in their daily lives, may turn to the Internet in order to alleviate the psychological and emotional discomfort they feel.…”