title: A basic need theory approach to problematic Internet use and the mediating effect of psychological distress.
abstract: The Internet provides an easily accessible way to meet certain needs. Over-reliance on it leads to problematic use, which studies show can be predicted by psychological distress. Self-determination theory proposes that we all have the basic need for autonomy, competency, and relatedness. This has been shown to explain the motivations behind problematic Internet use. This study hypothesizes that individuals who are psychologically disturbed because their basic needs are not being met are more vulnerable to becoming reliant on the Internet when they seek such needs satisfaction from online activities, and tests a model in which basic needs predict problematic Internet use, fully mediated by psychological distress. Problematic Internet use, psychological distress, and basic needs satisfaction were psychometrically measured in a sample of 229 Hong Kong University students and structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized model. All indices showed the model has a good fit. Further, statistical testing supported a mediation effect for psychological distress between needs satisfaction and problematic Internet use. The results extend our understanding of the development and prevention of problematic Internet use based on the framework of self-determination theory. Psychological distress could be used as an early predictor, while preventing and treating problematic Internet use should emphasize the fulfillment of unmet needs.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands ; Department of Counselling and Psychology, Hong Kong Shue Yan University Hong Kong, China.
authors: Ting Yat
authors: TY
authors: Wong
authors: Focus Program Translational Neuroscience, Neuroimaging Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz, Germany.
authors: Kenneth S L
authors: KS
authors: Yuen
authors: Department of Counselling and Psychology, Hong Kong Shue Yan University Hong Kong, China.
authors: Wang On
authors: WO
authors: Li
keywords: need satisfaction; problematic Internet use; psychological distress; self-determination theory; structural equation modeling
references: J Pers Soc Psychol. 1999 Mar;76(3):349-66
references: 10101874
references: PLoS One. 2011 Feb 16;6(2):e14703
references: 21358822
references: CNS Drugs. 2008;22(5):353-65
references: 18399706
references: J Pers Soc Psychol. 2001 Feb;80(2):325-39
references: 11220449
references: Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2012 Sep;15(9):480-5
references: 22974351
references: Behav Res Methods. 2011 Sep;43(3):692-700
references: 21487904
references: Eur Psychiatry. 2007 Oct;22(7):466-71
references: 17765486
references: Cyberpsychol Behav. 2006 Dec;9(6):772-5
references: 17201605
references: Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2010 Jun;13(3):241-9
references: 20557242
references: Cyberpsychol Behav. 2004 Aug;7(4):379-83
references: 15331024
references: Cyberpsychol Behav. 2006 Dec;9(6):762-6
references: 17201603
references: J Pers Soc Psychol. 2011 Apr;100(4):766-75
references: 21280967
references: Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2009 Jun;63(3):357-64
references: 19566768
references: EMBO Rep. 2014 Jan;15(1):12-6
references: 24398129
references: Cyberpsychol Behav. 2004 Aug;7(4):384-94
references: 15331025
references: J Med Internet Res. 2013 Oct 09;15(10):e225
references: 24184961
references: Commun Integr Biol. 2011 Nov 1;4(6):637-9
references: 22448301
references: Cyberpsychol Behav. 2007 Oct;10(5):713-6
references: 17927542
references: Cyberpsychol Behav. 2008 Aug;11(4):485-7
references: 18721099
references: Am Psychol. 2000 Jan;55(1):68-78
references: 11392867
references: J Affect Disord. 2000 Jan-Mar;57(1-3):267-72
references: 10708842
references: Psychiatr Danub. 2011 Jun;23(2):145-51
references: 21685852
references: Psychol Sci. 2010 Mar;21(3):372-4
references: 20424071
references: PLoS One. 2011 May 06;6(5):e19660
references: 21573073
references: BMC Public Health. 2012 Dec 22;12:1106
references: 23259906
references: Eur Psychiatry. 2012 Jan;27(1):1-8
references: 22153731
references: Cyberpsychol Behav. 2008 Dec;11(6):699-701
references: 19072150
references: Cyberpsychol Behav. 2006 Jun;9(3):317-24
references: 16780399
references: Pers Individ Dif. 2012 Feb 1;52(3):243-249
references: 22544987
references: Cyberpsychol Behav. 2004 Aug;7(4):443-50
references: 15331031
references: Br J Clin Psychol. 2005 Jun;44(Pt 2):227-39
references: 16004657
references: Cyberpsychol Behav. 2004 Oct;7(5):559-70
references: 15667051