Addict Behav. 2017 Sep;72:57-63. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.03.018. Epub 2017 Mar 27.
Calvete E1, Gámez-Guadix M2, Cortazar N3.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
The aim of this study was to study the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between mindfulness facets and problematic Internet use in adolescents.
METHODS:
The sample consisted of 609 adolescents (313 girls, 296 boys; Mean age=14.21years, SD=1.71; age range 11-18). Participants completed a measure of five facets of mindfulness (describing, observing, acting with awareness, non-judging and non-reacting) at the beginning of the year, and measures of several components of problematic Internet use (preference for online social interactions, the use of the Internet to regulate mood, deficient self-regulation and negative outcomes) at beginning of the year and six months later.
RESULTS:
Findings indicated that non-judging is the only dimension of mindfulness that predicts a decrease in preference for online social interactions over face-to-face relationships. Moreover, non-judging indirectly predicted reductions in the rest of the problematic Internet use components. The observing and acting with awareness dimensions of mindfulness directly predicted less deficient self-regulation of Internet use and indirectly predicted less negative outcomes through their impact on deficient self-regulation. Thus, these dimensions seem to act when the maladaptive use of the Internet is consolidated.
CONCLUSIONS:
These findings suggest that interventions should include approaches to develop those mindfulness facets that protect against the development of problematic Internet use.
KEYWORDS: Adolescents; Mindfulness facets; Problematic Internet use
PMID: 28371695
DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.03.018
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