Online Social Interaction, Psychosocial Well‐Being, and Problematic Internet Use

Abstract

Researchers from a variety of different disciplines have sought to better understand online social interaction and its relationship to both problematic Internet use (PIU) and psychosocial well-being. In this chapter, PIU refers to a constellation of thoughts, behaviors, and outcomes, rather than to a disease or addiction. Specifically, this chapter employs PIU to describe a syndrome of cognitive and behavioral symptoms that result in negative social, academic, and professional consequences (Caplan, 2002; see also Davis, 2001; Davis, Flett, and Besser 2002; Morahan-Martin & Schumacher, 2003). Rather than limiting its scope to problems rising to the level of addiction or clinical disorder, this chapter conceptualizes PIU as a broader form of deficient self-regulation that results in negative outcomes (LaRose, 2001; LaRose, Eastin, & Gregg, 2001; LaRose, Lin, & Eastin, 2003; LaRose, Mastro, & Eastin, 2001). This chapter seeks to present a theoretical account of the relationship between interpersonal Internet use and PIU and to propose directions for future studies to explore. The following sections examine research supporting the claim that interpersonal Internet use is associated with psychosocial well-being and PIU. Later sections articulate a detailed cognitive behavioral model of how and why online social interaction, psychosocial well-being, and problematic Internet use are related to one another. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved)(chapter)