Childhood Emotional Abuse and Problematic Internet Use: Trait Mindfulness and Dissociative Experiences as Mediators

The escalating prevalence of internet usage has prompted a heightened curiosity in comprehending the factors contributing to problematic internet use (PIU). Specifically, the study delves into the potential link between childhood emotional abuse (CEA) and PIU based on the Compensatory Internet Use Theory (CIUT), recognizing CEA as a precursor to mental health issues, with PIU as a possible coping mechanism. Additionally, the research explores the mediating roles of trait mindfulness (TM) and dissociative experiences (DE), hypothesizing that trait mindfulness may provide adaptive coping strategies, while dissociative experiences may lead to avoidance behaviors like excessive internet use. The study enlisted 1074 Italian adolescents (537 girls) aged between 14 and 17 years (M = 15.65, SD = .92). Participants filled out the following self-report instruments: Childhood Emotional Abuse Subscale from the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale (A-DES), Shorter Promis Questionnaire (SPQ). To mitigate the influence of background variables, a Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) was conducted. Subsequently, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with latent variables was employed to assess the proposed mediation model. Finally, a Multiple-Group Path Analysis (MGPA) was conducted to assess the gender invariance of the hypothesized model. Gender and parental educational level were controlled for based on the findings of the MANCOVA. SEM yielded I = .98, RMSEA = .04 (90% CI = .04 .05), SRMR = .03. All direct and indirect pathways were statistically significant - -.17); These findings emphasize the critical significance of recognizing and addressing the distinct and profound challenges confronted by adolescents who have endured CEA, especially those who exhibit heightened levels of dissociation and deficits in trait mindfulness. Such individuals may be at a heightened risk for engaging in maladaptive online behaviors. Consequently, the development and implementation of interventions tailored to target dissociation and enhance mindfulness skills could prove to be clinically effective in preventing and managing PIU among emotionally abused youth.