title: Problematic Internet use and problematic alcohol use from the cognitive-behavioral model: a longitudinal study among adolescents.
abstract: Problematic Internet use (PIU) and problematic alcohol use are two pervasive problems during adolescence that share similar characteristics and predictors. The first objective of this study was to analyze the temporal and reciprocal relationships among the main components of PIU from the cognitive-behavioral model (preference for online social interaction, mood regulation through the Internet, deficient self-regulation, and negative consequences). The second objective was to examine the temporal and reciprocal relationships between PIU components and problematic alcohol use. We also examined whether these relationships differ between males and females. The sample comprised 801 Spanish adolescents (mean age=14.92, SD=1.01) who completed the measures both at Time 1 (T1) and Time 2 (T2) six months apart. We used structural equation modeling to analyze the relationship among the variables. Results showed that deficient self-regulation at T1 predicted an increase in preference for online interactions, mood regulation, and negative consequences of the Internet at T2. In turn, the emergence of negative consequences of PIU at T1 predicted a rise in problematic alcohol use at T2. Longitudinal relationships between different components of PIU and between the components of PIU and problematic alcohol use were invariant across genders. Deficient self-regulation, consisting of diminished self-control over cognition and behaviors related to the Internet, plays a central role in the maintenance of PIU, increasing the preference for online interactions, mood regulation, and negative consequences from Internet use over time. In turn, adolescents who present negative consequences of PIU are vulnerable targets for problematic alcohol use.
authors.affiliation: University of Deusto, Psychology Department of Personality, Assessment and Treatment, 1st Floor, Avenida de las Universidades 24, 48007 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain. Electronic address: mgamezguadix@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gámez-Guadix
authors.affiliation: University of Deusto, Psychology Department of Personality, Assessment and Treatment, 1st Floor, Avenida de las Universidades 24, 48007 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain. Electronic address: esther.calvete@deusto.es.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Calvete
authors.affiliation: University of Deusto, Psychology Department of Personality, Assessment and Treatment, 1st Floor, Avenida de las Universidades 24, 48007 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain. Electronic address: izaskun.orue@deusto.es.
authors.forename: Izaskun
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Orue
authors.affiliation: University of Deusto, Psychology Department of Personality, Assessment and Treatment, 1st Floor, Avenida de las Universidades 24, 48007 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain. Electronic address: carlota.lashayas@deusto.es.
authors.forename: Carlota
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Las Hayas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D063425:Binge Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012737:Sex Factors
keywords: Alcohol abuse; Compulsive Internet use; Deficient self-regulation; Internet addiction; Substance use