Emotional intelligence and interpersonal problem solving as predictors of internet addiction

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the level of internet addiction of university students as predicted by emotional intelligence and interpersonal problem solving skills. In this study, 331 university students (182 female, 149 male) were participated who have educated in Istanbul, Kocaeli and Ankara. ''Internet Addiction Scale'', '' The Trait Emotinal Intelligence Questionnnaire-Short Form (TEIQue-SF)'', ''Interpersonal Problem Solving Inventory'' and ''Personal Information Form'' were used for data collection. In addition, the demographic characteristics of the students (gender, age,parental education level,economic status, perceived academic achievement, romantic relationship and perceived parental attitude) were evaluated. According to the findings, there was a positive relationship between internet addiction scores of university students and sub-dimensions of interpersonal problem solvings which are approaching problems in a negative way, lack of self-confidence and unwillingness to take responsibility. On the other hand, there was a negative relationship between internet addiction and constructive problem solving skills. There was no meaningful relationship between insistent- persevering approach and internet addiction. Furthermore, there was a significant negative relationship between university students of internet addiction levels and emotional intelligence levels. While there was no significant difference between gender, age, father's education level and internet addiction levels, there were significant differences between mother's education level, economic status, perceived academic achievement, romantic relationships, perceived parental attitude and internet addiction. As a result of the study, while internet addiction levels of university students are predicted positively and significantly by subscales which are approaching problems in a negative way and lack of self-confidence, emotional intelligence predict them negatively. Key words: Internet addiction, emotional intelligence, interpersonal problem solving