Personality traits, social support, and psychological distress as predictors of internet addiction among emerging adults

Objectives: To examine the relationship between internet addiction (IA), personality traits, interpersonal support, and psychological distress among male and female adolescents and young adults in Pakistan; and to assess whether IA mediates the relationship between interpersonal support and psychological distress. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted among 300 university students (150 males, 150 females), aged 15–30 years, from four Islamabad-based institutions. Standardized tools were used: Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Big Five Inventory (BFI-44), Interpersonal Support Evaluation List-12 (ISEL-12), and a 10-item Psychological Distress Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, hierarchical regressions, and mediation analysis. Results: IA showed significant negative correlations with agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, and openness to change, and a significant positive correlation with psychological distress. Neuroticism was positively associated with psychological distress (r=.45, p <.01) but did not correlate significantly with IA. Hierarchical regression analysis identified agreeableness (β = –0.17, p=.005) as a negative predictor and psychological distress (β=0.19, p=.005) as a positive predictor of IA. Mediation analysis showed IA partially mediated the relationship between interpersonal support and psychological distress (β=–0.04; 95% CI [–0.08, –0.006]). Gender comparisons revealed that males reported significantly higher IA scores (p=.001), while females scored higher on neuroticism and openness to change. Effect sizes indicate moderate gender differences in these domains. Conclusion: The findings highlight the interplay between personality traits, social support, and psychological well-being in predicting IA. Interventions aimed at enhancing interpersonal support and addressing psychological distress may mitigate IA risk, particularly in male university students.