Internet Addiction on Psycho-Social Symptoms of Happiness and Aggression through Difficulties in Emotion Regulation: Evidence Following COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Internet usage has increased during the pandemic. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between internet addiction (IA), happiness, and aggression in the context of difficulties in emotion regulation (DER). The psycho-social symptoms of the COVID-19 pandemic appear to be more persistent over time compared to its physical symptoms, especially regarding Internet addiction in the young population. This study seeks to understand these effects on happiness and aggression through difficulties in emotion regulation. Participants and Procedure: The sample of this study consisted of 325 university students. Data were gathered using the Young Internet Addiction Scale Short Form, Oxford Happiness Scale Short-Form, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale Brief-Form, and Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Results: The results showed that internet addiction was negatively related to happiness, and this relationship was mediated by difficulties in emotion regulation. Similarly, internet addiction was positively related to aggression, and this relationship was fully mediated by difficulties in emotion regulation as well. Conclusion: These research findings emphasize the need for creating effective interventions to enhance emotion regulation skills in internet-addicted adults. The results are discussed in light of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.