Perceptual distortions of social support in multi-age cohort as a function of internet addiction and attention...

Internet addiction and attention control increasingly influence how individuals across age groups perceive social support. This study explored the psychological impact of excessive internet use and attentional regulation within a diverse Indian population.

The study aimed (a) to examine perceptual distortions of social support across the lifespan as a function of individual differences in internet addiction and attention control; (b) to explore how socio-demographic factors such as sex and socioeconomic status (SES) influence attention control and perceived social support in the context of internet addiction; and (c) to investigate how age and SES jointly shape patterns of internet addiction, attention control, and perceived social support in a multi-age cohort.

A cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 399 participants in Mysuru through purposive sampling. Standardized instruments included the Internet Addiction Test, Attention Control Scale, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Analyses were conducted using SPSS v.27, employing multiple regression and MANOVA.

The regression model significantly predicted perceived social support, F(2, 396) = 20.87, p = 0.001, R² = 0.095. Internet addiction was a significant negative predictor of perceived social support (β = -.260, p = 0.001) meanwhile attention control was not (β = 0.099, p = 0.053). MANOVA showed significant effects of age (p = 0.013) and an Age × SES interaction (p = 0.019) on internet addiction. sex and SES main effects were non-significant.

Perceptual distortions of social support are not simply the result of screen time, but are mediated by age and class. These findings underscore internet addiction as a psychosocial outcome shaped by unequal digital environments.