The relationship between generalized problematic Internet use and social interaction and performance anxiety and avoidance in late adolescence

Problematic Internet use has been associated with a variety of psychosocial problems, such as increased social anxiety. This study aims to explore the relationships between generalized problematic Internet use and social interaction and performance anxiety and avoidance in late adolescence. A sample of 216 Portuguese students, with a mean age of 18.62 years old (SD = 0.49; range: 18-19), completed the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 (GPIUS) and the Social Interaction and Performance Anxiety and Avoidance Scale. Distress/Anxiety subscale was significantly correlated with Preference for Online Social Interaction (rs = .25**, p = .002), Mood Regulation (r = .27**, p = .001), Self-Deficient Regulation (r = .43**, p = .044), and Negative Consequences (rs = .25**, p = .005). Avoidance subscale was correlated with Preference for Online Social Interaction (rs = .18*, p = .002), Self-Deficient Regulation (r = .32**, p = <.001), and Negative Consequences (rs = .25**, p = .005). The correlation between avoidance subscale and Mood Regulation was non-significant (r = .14, p = .128). There was a significant difference in Distress/ Anxiety scores for females (M = 97.48, SD = 22.02) and males, M = 85.56, SD = 24.01; t (140) = -2.12, p = .035. No gender differences were found in Avoidance subscale, and in all GPIUS scores. Self-Deficient Regulation, which comprises cognitive preoccupation and compulsive Internet use, presents the stronger association with Distress/Anxiety in social interaction and performance. Females presented significantly higher Distress/Anxiety scores. Longitudinal studies are needed to inferring causality.