Emotional State of Young Men in Relation to Problematic Internet Use

Abstract

The Internet has become an indispensable tool in communication, business, entertainment, and obtaining information. Behavioral addictions are disorders associated with uncontrolled activity feeding the reward system, motivation, and memory. The purpose of this study was to assess the emotional state in terms of problematic Internet use. The survey was conducted in 2020–2021 in the West Pomeranian region of Poland and involved 500 men aged 18–30 (24.82 ± 3.83). The study was conducted using our own original questionnaire regarding the amount of time spent playing computer games during the weekdays and on days off; the type of school/university; financial situation; as well as the manner, purpose, and degree of Internet use. Other questionnaires were also used, i.e., Beck Depression Inventory, Internet Use Test, GAD-7 Generalized Anxiety Assessment Questionnaire, and Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Problematic use of the Internet may result in the occurrence of anxiety, anger, hostility or depression. Longer duration of Internet activity was correlated to higher scores on the Internet Use Test degree of problematic Internet use. There was a correlation between the severity of mild depression symptoms and the occurrence of anxiety, verbal and physical aggression, and problematic Internet use.