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Predictors of Spontaneous Remission of Problematic Internet Use in Adolescence: A One-Year Follow-Up Study

Author

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  • Lutz Wartberg

    (Department Psychology, Faculty of Life Sciences, MSH Medical School Hamburg, 20457 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Katajun Lindenberg

    (Institute for Psychology, University of Education Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany)

Abstract

Problematic use of the Internet is becoming increasingly important and especially for adolescents, high prevalence rates are reported in many countries. Despite the growing international research activities and the reported prevalence estimates, comparatively very few studies have focused on spontaneous remission and its possible causes. In a risk population of 272 adolescents, we used standardized diagnostic instruments to investigate which socio-demographic and psychosocial characteristics at baseline (at t1) predicted spontaneous remission of problematic Internet use one year later (at t2). The predictors were determined by bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. In the bivariate regressions, we found male gender, higher self-efficacy (t1), a lower level of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies (t1), lower depression (t1), lower performance and school anxiety (t1), lower social-interaction anxiety (t1), and lower procrastination (t1) to predict spontaneous remission of problematic Internet use at t2. In the multivariable analysis, a lower level of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies (t1) was the sole statistically significant predictor for the remission one year later (t2). For the first time, the high relevance of emotion regulation for spontaneous remission of adolescent problematic Internet use was observed. Based on these findings, emotion regulation could be specifically trained and promoted in future prevention measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Lutz Wartberg & Katajun Lindenberg, 2020. "Predictors of Spontaneous Remission of Problematic Internet Use in Adolescence: A One-Year Follow-Up Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-10, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:2:p:448-:d:307069
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Katajun Lindenberg & Katharina Halasy & Carolin Szász-Janocha & Lutz Wartberg, 2018. "A Phenotype Classification of Internet Use Disorder in a Large-Scale High-School Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-11, April.
    2. Sneha B Vadher & Bharat N Panchal & Ashok U Vala & Imran J Ratnani & Kinjal J Vasava & Rishi S Desai & Aayushi H Shah, 2019. "Predictors of problematic Internet use in school going adolescents of Bhavnagar, India," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 65(2), pages 151-157, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jui-Kang Tsai & Wei-Hsin Lu & Ray C. Hsiao & Huei-Fan Hu & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2020. "Relationship between Difficulty in Emotion Regulation and Internet Addiction in College Students: A One-Year Prospective Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-11, July.
    2. Phoenix K. H. Mo & Juliet Honglei Chen & Joseph T. F. Lau & Anise M. S. Wu, 2020. "Internet-Related Addictions: From Measurements to Interventions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-4, April.
    3. Lingling Gao & Yiqun Gan & Amanda Whittal & Sonia Lippke, 2020. "Problematic Internet Use and Perceived Quality of Life: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study Investigating Work-Time and Leisure-Time Internet Use," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-15, June.

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