Uncovering latent profiles of internet, smartphone and gaming use among young adults and their relationships with psychosocial risk factors

Abstract

The present study examined Internet users aged 18-24 years based on their generalized (i.e., internet and smartphone) and specific (i.e., gaming, frequency of gaming, time spent in video game sessions) problematic internet use behaviors, and their relations with sociodemographic variables and psychosocial risk factors. The sample included 851 Italian young adults (51.9% females; Mage = 21.62). Latent profile analyses indicated a best-fitting five-class solution, with profiles labeled as follows: (1) non-problematic internet users, (2) normative internet and gaming users, (3) non-problematic gamers, (4) problematic internet users, and (5) problematic gamers. Significant differences were observed among profiles, with problematic internet users and problematic gamers displaying higher levels of psychological distress, emotion dysregulation, dissociative experiences, attachment insecurity and loneliness, as well as lower levels of satisfaction of basic psychological needs, self-esteem, and perceived social support. The study findings support the view that a relatively small subgroup of Internet users may need tailored intervention to reduce their maladaptive use of Internet services and improve their psychological wellbeing.