Problematic Internet use and problematic alcohol use from the cognitive–behavioral model: A longitudinal study among adolescents

A sample of 801 Spanish adolescents revealed that deficient self-regulation predicts an increase in preference for online interactions and negative consequences of Internet use over time.

• Deficient self-regulation at the first measurement predicted increased preference for online social interaction and mood regulation six months later.
• Negative consequences of problematic Internet use at the first measurement were linked to a rise in problematic alcohol use at the second measurement.
• Longitudinal relationships between components of problematic Internet use and problematic alcohol use were consistent across genders.
• Adolescents experiencing negative consequences from Internet use may be at risk for developing problematic alcohol use.

AI simplified