Associations of Social Anxiety and Depression with Cognitions Related to Problematic Internet Use in Youths

Presence of psychopathology (e.g., depression and anxiety) has found to be related to an increased vulnerability to develop problematic Internet use (PIU). The current study aimed to investigate the effects of social anxiety and depression on cognitions related to PIU based on a cognitive behavioral framework in youths. The Online Cognition Scale (OCS), The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) and Demographic Information Form were administered and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to ascertain these effects as well as to determine the roles of socio-demographic variables (age, gender, type of residence, and monthly income), romantic relationship status, and time spent online, using a sample of 448 Turkish university students aged 18 to 25 years. The results revealed significant effects of gender (being male) and time spent online on cognitions about PIU. However, the effects of romantic relationship status were found to be insignificant. Fear/anxiety and depression were positively correlated with cognitions about PIU. Avoidance was not found to be correlated with cognitions about PIU. Examining the roles of social anxiety and depression in PIU will improve our understanding of PIU and contribute to the design of future studies.