Predictiveness of interpersonal cognitive distortions on university students' problematic Internet use

ObjectiveThis study examines correlation between problematic Internet use and interpersonal cognitive distortions among university students.MethodsThis study was conducted among 351 students from the Ondokuz Mayis University Faculty of Education. The Online Cognition Scale and Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions Scale were employed in the collection of data.ResultsPearson correlation analysis results reveal a significant positive correlation between problematic Internet use and interpersonal rejection (r = 0.249, p < 0.01), and unrealistic relationship expectation (r = 0.278, p < 0.01). Simple linear regression analysis in which the problematic Internet use scores were predicted from interpersonal cognitive distortions was conducted. Interpersonal rejection (R2 = 0.062, t = 4.809, p < 0.000) and unrealistic relationship expectation (R2 = 0.077, t = 5.398, p < 0.000) predicted significantly university students’ problematic Internet use.ConclusionsInterpersonal cognitive distortions emerged as a significant predictor of problematic Internet usage.

► I examine correlation between problematic Internet use and cognitive distortion. ► Cognitive distortions are significant predictors of problematic Internet use. ► Cognitive distortions contain interpersonal rejection and unrealistic expectation.