Preventing internet misuse and its impact on adolescent health: the role of emotional intelligence.

Abstract

Objective: After the Covid-19 pandemic, several research indicate an increase in Internet use among adolescents. Internet use brings numerous benefits in different areas of our life. However, research over the last decade has provided evidence on the negative impact that problematic Internet use (PIU) can have on psychosocial adjustment in adolescents and the need to examine potential protective factors associated to PIU. Among the resources, emotional intelligence has shown that not only might help to reduce psychological maladjustment, but also can help to prevent PIU in adolescents. Nevertheless, more research is needed to further investigate the potential benefits of emotional intelligence on problematic use of technology and well-being. Therefore, we sought to examine prospectively the link between emotional intelligence and PIU in adolescents. Methods: A sample of 491 adolescents aged 12-18 years (60.48% females) from the South of Spain. Participants filled out an emotional intelligence scale and a PIU test in a time 1, and five months later, they completed the PIU test again, as well as a depression scale. Results: After performing a serial mediation analysis, the results showed that emotional intelligence was negatively related to PIU at time 1 which leads to lower depressive symptomatology at time 2 and, subsequently, lower PIU at time 2. In other words, emotionally intelligent adolescents tend to have lower PIU which decrease their levels of depressive symptoms five months later. This better mental health, in turn, was related to lower PIU five months later. Conclusions: These findings show evidence of the potential benefits that emotional intelligence might reducing PIU and its negative impact on health over time. Also, the development of emotional intelligence could be a resource to be included in further intervention programmes aimed at promoting the responsible use of technologies in the adolescents.