Problematic Internet Use and Psychological Problems among University Students with Disabilities

Problematic internet use (PIU) among people with disabilities has received very little attention in scientific literature. The objective of this work is to study PIU among Spanish university students with disabilities, and determine whether it is related to the presence of psychological problems and discomfort. A total of 432 Spanish university students with disabilities from six universities participated in the study (35% motor disability, 22.7% sensory disability and 42.1% other disabilities, excluding psychical or intellectual disability). PIU in the sample was assessed using the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), while psychological problems were assessed using the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM). PIU prevalence was 6.3%, and significant differences were found by age (< 22 had a PIU prevalence five times higher), onset of disability (prevalence was 3.7 times higher in those with congenital disability) and main type of internet use (recreational). There were no differences by sex, level of education or type of disability. In all the dimensions measured by CORE-OM (psychological problems, subjective well-being, life functioning and risk of self-harm and harm to others), the prevalence of psychological problems was significantly higher among problematic internet users. In conclusion, university students who are disabled from birth (regardless of their type of disability and sex), under the age of 22, and use the internet mainly for social networking and recreational purposes are at greater risk of psychological distress and are more vulnerable to problems like anxiety and difficulties with social relationships.