Problematic internet use in terms of gender, attachment styles and subjective well-being in university students

The aim of this study was to investigate problematic internet use in terms of gender, attachment styles and subjective well-being. This study based on a relational screening model and using a cross-sectional research protocol was conducted with 380 university students from various departments in the Karadeniz Technical University and Artvin Çoruh University faculties of education in Turkey. The Problematic Internet Use Scale, The Relationship Scale, Subjective Well-Being Scale and Personal Information Form were used in the study. Data were analyzed using the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient, two-way ANOVA, the Bonferroni test and multiple regression analysis. Results revealed significant correlations among problematic internet use, attachment styles and subjective well-being. Problematic internet use correlated positively with a dismissing attachment style and a preoccupied attachment style. Results from multiple regression analysis showed that gender, subjective well-being and dismissing and preoccupied attachment styles accounted for 19% of total problematic internet use variance. Gender, subjective well-being, and a dismissing attachment style made a significant distinctive contribution to the model. Problematic internet use differed significantly according to gender and attachment styles. Results revealed significant correlations among problematic internet use, attachment styles and subjective well-being. Problematic internet use differed significantly according to gender and attachment styles. 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.