The relationship between self-esteem and emotion regulation difficulties with problematic internet use among university students

This study examined the relationship between self-esteem and difficulties in emotion regulation with problematic internet use among university students. The primary aim of the research was to reveal the predictive role of individuals' internal psychological structures on digital behavioral patterns. In this context, a correlational survey model, one of the quantitative research methods, was adopted. The study was conducted with data collected from 143 university students aged between 18 and 25, studying at a university in Turkey. The data were gathered using the Self-Esteem Scale, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and the Problematic Internet Use Scale. Pearson correlation and linear hierarchical regression analyses were employed in data analysis. According to the findings, lower levels of self-esteem were associated with higher levels of problematic internet use. Similarly, significant and positive relationships were found between difficulties in emotion regulation and problematic internet use. Notably, the sub-dimensions of the DERS — "lack of emotional clarity" and "non-acceptance of emotional responses" — were found to significantly predict problematic internet use. When the analysis results was examined, it was observed that self-esteem and emotion regulation difficulties together explained 39% of the variance in self esteem. In conclusion, the findings indicate that digital behaviors are directly linked to individuals' psychological functioning; therefore, emotional awareness and self-worth should be taken into account in interventions targeting internet use.