title: Daily and compulsive internet use and well-being in adolescence: a diathesis-stress model based on big five personality traits.
abstract: This study examined the associations between adolescents' daily Internet use and low well-being (i.e., loneliness, low self-esteem, and depressive moods). We hypothesized that (a) linkages between high levels of daily Internet use and low well-being would be mediated by compulsive Internet use (CIU), and (b) that adolescents with low levels of agreeableness and emotional stability, and high levels of introversion would be more likely to develop CIU and lower well-being. Data were used from a sample of 7888 Dutch adolescents (11-21 years). Results from structural equation modeling analyses showed that daily Internet use was indirectly related to low well-being through CIU. In addition, daily Internet use was found to be more strongly related to CIU in introverted, low-agreeable, and emotionally less-stable adolescents. In turn, again, CIU was more strongly linked to loneliness in introverted, emotionally less-stable, and less agreeable adolescents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 Amsterdam, BT, The Netherlands. n.van.der.aa@psy.vu.nl
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: van der Aa
authors.forename: Geertjan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Overbeek
authors.forename: Rutger C M E
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Engels
authors.forename: Ron H J
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Scholte
authors.forename: Gert-Jan
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Meerkerk
authors.forename: Regina J J M
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Van den Eijnden
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003192:Compulsive Behavior; D003863:Depression; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008132:Loneliness; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009426:Netherlands; D010551:Personality; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult