Internet Behavior Preferences Predict Pathological Internet Use: A Latent Profile Analysis

Abstract

Recent research in the underlying structure of pathological Internet use (PIU) has produced considerable debate among academics, in which a new “person-centered” approach of studying PIU has recently gathered support but produced mixed results. This study used the latent profile analysis (LPA) to estimate the types of PIU in a large sample of college students (n = 1,400, aged 17–25 years). Participants provided information on demographics, PIU, and Internet behavior preferences. The adolescent pathological Internet use (APIU), which served as the basis of LPA, was used for searching subgroups that represent participants with PIU. LPA identified the PIU classes, and regressions identified the psychological predictors of class membership. Participants were classified into pathological users, pathological-tendency users, preferential users, and ordinary Internet users. In comparison with pathological Internet users, lower Internet gaming and communication preference were associated with pathological-tendency users, preferential users, and ordinary Internet users. The distinct types of college students belong to each PIU class, suggesting that individual differences may be incorporated into the prevention efforts.