Problematic internet use in university students: the predictive stenght of relationalinterdependent self-construal and impulsivity

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among relational-interdependent self-construal, impulsivity, and problematic internet use. This research was carried out with 327 university students who were selected via appropriate sampling. Of the participants, 155 (47.40 %) were female and 172 (52.60 %) were male.The mean of the participants’ ages was 19.76±1.68, ranging from 17 to 28 years. Data were gathered using Relational-Interdependent Self-Construal Scale, Brief Self-Control Scale, and Problematic Internet Use Scale. The relationships among impulsivity, relationalinterdependent self-construal, and the dimensions of problematic internet use were investigated Pearson Correlation Analysis. The predictive effect of impulsivity and relational-interdependent selfconstrual on problematic internet use was examined by structural equation modelling. Data were analyzed using PASW Statistics 18 and LISREL 8.54. The results of the Pearson Correlational Analysis indicated that there were positive relationships between impulsivity and the subscales of problematic internet use (negative consequences of internet, social benefit/social comfort, and excessive usage). On the other hand, it was found that there were no significant relationships between relational-interdependent self-construal and dimensions of problematic internet use. The results of structural equation modelling demonstrated that problematic internet use was predicted positively by impulsivity and negatively by relational-interdependent self-construal. According to results of structural equation modelling, impulsivity and relational-interdependent self-construal altogether accounted for 31 % of the variance in problematic internet use. Findings from this study were discussed considering theoretical framework