Impact of Mental Morbidity and Locus of Control on Problematic Internet Use

Background: The incidence of problematic internet use (PIU) has increased in the context of the pandemic where the internet has turned into a necessity. Most of the present studies in the Indian context are focused on the prevalence rates. This study aims to examine the relationship between problematic internet use with the locus of control and mental morbidity. Aim: The study aimed to assess the impact of locus of control and mental morbidity on young adults with problematic internet use through the administration of pre-existing scales. Variables: The independent variables are the locus of control and mental morbidity, and the dependent variable is problematic internet use. Sample: Data was collected from 140 participants. Participants were recruited based on convenience from universities across the country and a snowball sampling method was adopted where the participants were engaged in the process of data collection. Methods: One hundred and forty participants were recruited over a course of two months. The participants completed an online survey (Male/ Female/ Prefer Not to Say: 70/ 66/ 4; Mean age: 19.9). The participants filled out the Internet Addiction Test, Rotter’s Locus of Control Scale, and the Self Report Questionnaire. Results: Among the 140 students, 19.29% reported problematic internet use. Problematic internet use is significantly associated in the positive direction with the variables of locus of control (rho= 0.216, p= 0.010) and mental morbidity (rho= 0.309, p= < .001). Locus of control (β = 0.222, p<.001) and mental morbidity (β = 0.922, p<.001) are also weak but significant predictors of problematic internet use. Conclusion: The incidence of PIU among the chosen sample of young adults is relatively low. An external locus of control and high mental morbidity were significant predictors of problematic internet use.