Investigation of Withdrawal, Controlling Difficulty, Disorder in Functionality, and Social Isolation in Problematic Internet Use in Adolescents

Objective: Problematic internet usage, a significant and growing global problem in adolescents, is associated with the risk of future behavioural problems. This research explains the relationships between the factors affecting problematic Internet use among adolescents using the Structural Equation Modelling technique. Methods: The study group comprised 756 adolescents studying in different schools. Descriptive statistics of the variables, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modelling were used in the data analysis. Results: A positive relationship was obtained between deprivation and control difficulty, impairment of functioning, and social isolation. It was found that the effect of impairment of functioning and social isolation on control difficulty was statistically significant. In addition, the study determined that the relationship between impairment of functioning and social Isolation was significant. When the coefficients related to path analysis were tested, it was found that the effect of impairment of functioning on deprivation was not statistically significant, whereas the effect of control difficulty and social isolation on deprivation was statistically significant. Conclusions: There is a positive relationship between deprivation and problematic internet use, control difficulty, and social isolation, and a negative relationship with impaired functioning. In addition, it was concluded that the model created for the path analysis showed a good fit.