PROBLEMATIC INTERNET USE AMONG EMERGING ADULTS: ROLE OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AND ALEXITHYMIA

Abstract

Over the past three decades, the internet has become integral to daily life, but excessive use can lead to negative consequences. Literature review reveals that factors like emotion dysregulation, low self-esteem, low resilience, and alexithymia can contribute to problematic internet use (PIU). Alexithymia, affecting about 21% of emerging adults (Karukivi & Saarijärvi, 2014), is notably prevalent among students and linked to childhood trauma, including various forms of abuse and neglect. Given its association with PIU, this study focuses on Childhood Trauma and alexithymia as a causal factor for PIU. Aim: This study aims to explore the impact of childhood trauma on PIU, distinguishing between alexithymic and non-alexithymic individuals. Method: The study used the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and Generalized and Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 (GPIUS 2) with a sample of 400 emerging adults (81.25% female, 21.25% male) from various Delhi universities, aged 18 to 25, surveyed both online and offline. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25. Results: The study found a significant positive association between childhood trauma and PIU among non-alexithymic individuals, but not among alexithymic individuals. These findings offer insights into the development of targeted interventions for PIU.