Problematic Online Behaviours among University Students and Associations with Psychological Distress Symptoms and Emotional Role Limitations: A Network Analysis Approach

Very little research has simultaneously explored the interactions between generalized problematic internet use (GPIU), problematic social media use (PSMU), problematic online gaming (POG), psychological distress, and emotional well-being among university students. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine (i) the associations between GPIU, PSMU, and POG symptoms, (ii) whether symptoms of these three problematic online behaviours form distinct entities, and (iii) whether there are associations between problematic online behaviours, psychological distress symptoms, and emotional role limitations using network analysis. A total of 807 Spanish university students participated (57.7% female; M_age = 21.22 years [SD = 3.68]). Two network models were computed. Network 1 showed a complex interaction of nodes, with particularly strong connections between analogous symptoms of GPIU and PSMU. Symptoms organised into distinct dimensions, featuring a unique dimension for POG symptoms, one that includes preoccupation and a conflict symptom of GPIU, and two other dimensions with symptoms of GPIU and PSMU. Network 2 showed significant connections between GPIU and depression, GPIU and emotional role limitations, PSMU and anxiety, PSMU and emotional role limitations, POG and depression, and POG and anxiety. The findings support the conceptualization of GPIU as a nonspecific disorder, the independence of PSMU and POG as distinct constructs, and aligning with perspectives that separate POG from the GPIU spectrum. The study reinforces the model of compensatory internet use and emphasizes the impact of problematic online behaviours on emotional well-being. The findings have practical implications for the assessment and intervention of problematic online behaviours.