SELF-REGULATION SKILLS, DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND PROBLEMATIC INTERNET USE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

In the framework of Bandura's theory, problematic internet behaviour is the product of deficient self-regulatory processes. It has previously been confirmed by several studies that psychosocial disorders like stress, anxiety or depression make people inclined to the development of maladaptive behaviors that eventually lead to negative outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between self-regulation skills, depressive symptoms and problematic intemet use (PIU) among university students. Previous? findings related to self-regulation skills with regards to PIU among university students have not been consistent. A cross-sectional design was employed to assess our objective. First year university students from Slovakia (n=814) completed the Short Self-Regulation Questionnaire, Modified Beck Depression Inventory and Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2. Linear regression was performed to assess the relationship between self-regulation, depressive symptoms and problematic internet use. No gender difference was found in the association between self-regulation and PIU and between depressive symptoms and PIU. Higher levels of depressive symptoms were positively associated with PIU (p<0.001). Self-regulation was negatively associated with PIU (p<0.001). Gender was not associated with PIU. It was confirmed that problems with self-regulation skills as well as depressive symptoms might lead to problematic intemet use.