Problematic Internet Use and Its Relationship with Cyberbullying, Anxiety, and Executive Functions in Adolescence
<b>Introduction/objectives:</b> Brain development changes during adolescence are directly linked to various cognitive and behavioral challenges characteristic of this stage. The main objective of this study is to investigate the risks associated with Internet use and its relationship wit...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Children |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/4/503 |
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| author | Marta Real-Fernández Ignasi Navarro-Soria Megan Rosales-Gómez Beatriz Delgado |
| author_facet | Marta Real-Fernández Ignasi Navarro-Soria Megan Rosales-Gómez Beatriz Delgado |
| author_sort | Marta Real-Fernández |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Introduction/objectives:</b> Brain development changes during adolescence are directly linked to various cognitive and behavioral challenges characteristic of this stage. The main objective of this study is to investigate the risks associated with Internet use and its relationship with Executive Functions (EFs) and anxiety in a representative sample of Spanish secondary school students. <b>Methods:</b> The sample consisted of 1164 participants (48% males) aged 12 to 17 years (M age = 14.86; SD = 1.41) from five selected academic centers. Executive Functions were assessed using the Adolescent and Adult Executive Functioning Questionnaire (ADEXI), anxiety was measured with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and Problematic Internet Use (PIU) was evaluated with the Internet Addiction Test (IAT). <b>Results:</b> Significant positive correlations were found between the PIU, EF, anxiety, and cyberbullying variables. Predictive models were developed to explain the different variables. <b>Conclusions:</b> The results emphasize the need to increase awareness of these issues and to develop effective intervention strategies. Programs that promote responsible Internet use, along with classroom activities addressing anxiety and Executive Functions, could provide clear benefits. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d7f28d0fd003443fbdd8fd79c226db2f |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj-art-d7f28d0fd003443fbdd8fd79c226db2f2025-08-20T02:17:25ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-04-0112450310.3390/children12040503Problematic Internet Use and Its Relationship with Cyberbullying, Anxiety, and Executive Functions in AdolescenceMarta Real-Fernández0Ignasi Navarro-Soria1Megan Rosales-Gómez2Beatriz Delgado3Department of Developmental Psychology and Didactics, Faculty of Education, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, SpainDepartment of Developmental Psychology and Didactics, Faculty of Education, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, SpainDepartment of Developmental Psychology and Didactics, Faculty of Education, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, SpainDepartment of Developmental Psychology and Didactics, Faculty of Education, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain<b>Introduction/objectives:</b> Brain development changes during adolescence are directly linked to various cognitive and behavioral challenges characteristic of this stage. The main objective of this study is to investigate the risks associated with Internet use and its relationship with Executive Functions (EFs) and anxiety in a representative sample of Spanish secondary school students. <b>Methods:</b> The sample consisted of 1164 participants (48% males) aged 12 to 17 years (M age = 14.86; SD = 1.41) from five selected academic centers. Executive Functions were assessed using the Adolescent and Adult Executive Functioning Questionnaire (ADEXI), anxiety was measured with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and Problematic Internet Use (PIU) was evaluated with the Internet Addiction Test (IAT). <b>Results:</b> Significant positive correlations were found between the PIU, EF, anxiety, and cyberbullying variables. Predictive models were developed to explain the different variables. <b>Conclusions:</b> The results emphasize the need to increase awareness of these issues and to develop effective intervention strategies. Programs that promote responsible Internet use, along with classroom activities addressing anxiety and Executive Functions, could provide clear benefits.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/4/503Executive FunctionsanxietycyberbullyingcybervictimizationProblematic Internet Useadolescence |
| spellingShingle | Marta Real-Fernández Ignasi Navarro-Soria Megan Rosales-Gómez Beatriz Delgado Problematic Internet Use and Its Relationship with Cyberbullying, Anxiety, and Executive Functions in Adolescence Children Executive Functions anxiety cyberbullying cybervictimization Problematic Internet Use adolescence |
| title | Problematic Internet Use and Its Relationship with Cyberbullying, Anxiety, and Executive Functions in Adolescence |
| title_full | Problematic Internet Use and Its Relationship with Cyberbullying, Anxiety, and Executive Functions in Adolescence |
| title_fullStr | Problematic Internet Use and Its Relationship with Cyberbullying, Anxiety, and Executive Functions in Adolescence |
| title_full_unstemmed | Problematic Internet Use and Its Relationship with Cyberbullying, Anxiety, and Executive Functions in Adolescence |
| title_short | Problematic Internet Use and Its Relationship with Cyberbullying, Anxiety, and Executive Functions in Adolescence |
| title_sort | problematic internet use and its relationship with cyberbullying anxiety and executive functions in adolescence |
| topic | Executive Functions anxiety cyberbullying cybervictimization Problematic Internet Use adolescence |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/4/503 |
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