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Problematic Internet Use Predicts Lesser Satisfaction with Life, but Psychological Distress Acts as a Mediator
Nuria Codina1, José V Pestana1, Ruth Ogden2
1Department of Social Psychology and Quantitative Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking
|August 12, 2025
Summary
Problematic internet use (PIU) negatively impacts life satisfaction, with psychological distress acting as a key mediator. Understanding this link is crucial for addressing digital well-being.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Digital Well-being
- Internet Studies
Background:
- Problematic internet use (PIU) describes adverse effects of digitalization.
- PIU is linked to psychosocial impairments like anxiety and depression.
- Mechanisms linking PIU to life satisfaction (SWL) are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mediating role of psychological distress between PIU and SWL.
- To test the hypothesis in a large, representative European population sample.
Main Methods:
- Structural equation modeling was employed.
- Analysis included direct and indirect effects.
- Data from 7,536 participants across six European countries were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Psychological distress partially mediates the relationship between PIU and SWL.
- The direct positive effect of PIU on SWL becomes negative through distress.
- This mediation effect was consistent across all six countries.
Conclusions:
- Psychological distress is a significant factor in understanding PIU's impact on SWL.
- Considering distress is vital for defining PIU and its consequences.
- Findings highlight the importance of mental health in the context of internet use.
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