The effect of communication skills and self-discipline on pathological internet use in the scope of the cognitive behavioral model

The Effect of Communication Skills and Self-Discipline on Pathological Internet Use in the Scope of the Cognitive Behavioral Model This study examines the cognitive, behavioral, and psychosocial factors influencing pathological internet use based on Cognitive-Behavioral Model. The aim of the study is to investigate pathological internet use within a more comprehensive framework by incorporating not only the variables included in the Cognitive- Behavioral Model—such as perceived social support, maladaptive cognitions, psychopathology, and internet-related reinforcements—but also additional variables like communication skills and self-discipline. The sample of the study consists of 247 individuals over the age of 18 residing in Adana. In line with the objectives of the research, participants were administered an Informed Consent Form, Demographic Information Form, Internet Addiction Scale, Cognitive Status in Internet Use Scale, Effective Communication Skills Scale, Self-Discipline Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Brief Symptom Inventory, and the Internet Reinforcements Form. To address the research questions, a hierarchical regression analysis was first conducted, revealing that maladaptive cognitions and self-discipline significantly predicted pathological internet use. Other variables—perceived social support, psychopathological symptoms, internet-related reinforcements, and communication skills—did not contribute significantly to the model. Furthermore, a multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the predictors of maladaptive cognitions, which showed that psychopathological symptoms and internet-related reinforcements significantly predicted maladaptive cognitions. Additionally, the mediating role of maladaptive cognitions was investigated, and it was found that maladaptive cognitions had a mediating effect in the relationship between psychopathological symptoms, internet-related reinforcements, and pathological internet use. Keywords: Pathological internet use, cognitive behavioral model, maladaptive cognitions, self-discipline, communication skills.