Rates and psychological stress predictors of problematic internet use (PIU) during the COVID-19 pandemic in a racially diverse sample of young adults

ABSTRACT

Background

Problematic internet use (PIU), which includes social media misuse (SMM) and gaming misuse (GM), is uncontrollable and associated with significant psychological impairment. PIU is a coping behavior for COVID-19-related stress. We explored distress-related predictors of PIU in a young adult racially diverse sample during the pandemic.

Methods

Analyses used cross-sectional survey data (N = 1956). Psychological diagnoses, financial distress, COVID-19-related emotions, psychological distress, distress tolerance, social support, loneliness, SMM and GM were measured. Hierarchical multiple regressions identified predictors of PIU. Race-stratified exploratory analyses sought to understand if predictors held true across racial groups.

Results

Low distress tolerance was associated with SMM and GM, as were depression symptoms, with racial differences observed. SMM was associated with younger age, and GM was associated with male gender. PTSD symptoms predicted more GM. SMM and GM rates varied between racial groups. COVID-19-related adjustment challenges and stress predicted SMM and GM respectively, with racial differences observed.

Conclusion

Individual psychological distress and low distress tolerance markedly increased PIU risk. Clinicians should screen for stress-related PIU risk factors and bolster distress tolerance in vulnerable patients. Comparing PIU to different forms of coping in a larger sample would further clarify groups differences in stress coping behaviors.

KEYWORDS:

• Problematic internet use
• psychological stress
• COVID-19 pandemic
• racial differences
• social media misuse
• gaming misuse

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Acknowledgements

GAW conceived the initial idea, designed the study, analyzed and interpreted the findings, conducted the literature review, and wrote the manuscript. CS contributed to study design, interpretation of findings, relevant literature review, and reviewing multiple drafts of the manuscript. HCH contributed to study design, interpretation of findings, and reviewing multiple drafts of the manuscript. CHL assisted with conception of the initial idea, study design, interpretation of findings, analyses, and reviewing multiple drafts of the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Institutes of Health [Grant Number T32 MH016259] awarded to CHL and HCH and a training fellowship for GAW through the National Science Foundation [Grant Number #2027553].