Generalized problematic Internet use and social anxiety and avoidance in Portuguese university students

Introduction: The unhealthy use of Internet has been associated with a number of negative outcomes and psychosocial problems. Aim: To explore the gender differences, relations between variables and the predictive role of generalized problematic Internet use in distress / anxiety and avoidance in social situations. Methods: 176 Portuguese university students, with a mean age of 20.13 years old (SD = 1,65; range: 18-25), filled a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Portuguese version of the Generalized Problematic Interne Use Scale 2 (GPIU) and the Social Interaction and Performance Anxiety and Avoidance Scale. Results: Males presented significant higher scores (Md = 106.13) than females (84.28) in GPIU Negative Consequences (U = 1814.500, z = -2,40, p = .017), and females presented significant higher scores (Md = 95.70; Md = 94.39) than males (58.43; 63.90) in Distress / Anxiety and in Avoidance subscales (U = 1391.500, z = -3.83, p = < .001; U = 1577.500, z = -3.136, p = .002). The Distress / Anxiety subscale was significantly and positively correlated with all GPIU factors. Preference for Online Social Interaction, Deficient Self-Regulation, and gender were significant predictors of Distress / Anxiety in social situations. Conclusions: This study confirms the harmful role of generalized problematic Internet use in social interactions.