(PS3-44) The Relationship between Problematic Internet Use and Clinical Distress in a Diverse Sample of Adolescents

Research indicates that Black and Hispanic teens use the internet more frequently than White teens (Pew Research Center, 2022). As technology becomes increasingly pervasive, its impact on mental health is critical to consider. Studies link smartphone and social media use to heightened mental distress, self-harming behaviors, and suicidality (Gupta et al., 2022). Excessive media use also contributes to chronic sleep deprivation, impairing cognitive ability, academic performance, and socio-emotional functioning (Gupta et al., 2022). Despite this progress, little research focuses on adolescents of color, who may be at higher risk for adverse mental health outcomes due to societal stressors like racism and discrimination (Njoroge et al., 2021). This study examines how problematic/risky internet use affects psychological functioning, particularly in adolescents of color.

This study explores the link between problematic/risky internet use and clinical distress—specifically depressive symptoms and emotional dysregulation—and whether racial/ethnic groups moderate this relationship. Adolescents aged 13-17 (n = 353; White 33.9%, Asian 2%, Black 54.6%, Hispanic 0.6%, Middle Eastern/North African 0.3%, Alaskan Native 6.7%, Native American/Pacific Islander 0.8%) were recruited via social media and community advertising as part of a larger longitudinal study. Participants were assessed on social media usage, gun-related violence exposure, and clinical distress. Relevant measures included the PRIUSS-3, MFQ, and DERS (Moreno et al., 2016; Angold et al., 1995; Gratz & Roemer, 2004). Correlations examined relationships between problematic/risky internet use (PRIUSS-3), depression (MFQ), and emotional dysregulation (DERS), while multiple linear regression tested whether racial/ethnic groups moderated these associations.

Preliminary analyses revealed strong correlations between emotional dysregulation and both problematic/risky internet use (r = .839, p < .001) and depressive symptoms (r = .861, p < .001), as well as between PRIUSS-3 and depressive symptoms (r = .844, p < .001). Multiple linear regression showed that problematic/risky internet use (β = .800, p < .001) and Black racial identity (β = .140, p < .001) significantly predicted depressive symptoms, with race moderating this relationship (β = .193, p < .001). However, this effect was not observed for emotional dysregulation, though the PRIUSS-3 interaction approached significance (β = .090, p = .058). The PRIUSS-3 and Alaskan Native identity also significantly predicted emotional dysregulation (β = -.130, p < .001) and depressive symptoms (β = -.123, p < .001). No other significant interactions emerged though limited statistical power within certain racial groups may have contributed.

Future analyses will explore DERS subdomains and the role of external stressors like discrimination and racial identity in mental health. Examining other clinical distress measures, such as self-injurious behaviors and anxiety, can further clarify how coping mechanisms and psychological distress interact, shedding light on race-based disparities. Understanding these factors may help clinicians develop targeted interventions to support marginalized adolescents.