Problematic Internet Use Among Adolescents In Saudi: Parenting Style And Parent-Adolescent Relationship

The study consisted of two phases. In the first phase, the prevalence of internet use behaviors and problematic internet use (PIU) was examined. Then, the predictive role of gender and internet use behaviors (number of hours spent online during school days and non-school days), mother and father parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive), and parent-adolescent relationship on problematic internet use among Saudi adolescents was searched. A cross-sectional study was conducted, utilizing the Arabic version of several scales: Young's Internet Addiction Test Scale, the Parental Authority Questionnaire-short version, and the Quality of Parent-Child Relationship Questionnaire (PCRQ). The study included a total of 411 participants (272 Girls, 139 Boys) aged from 14 to 18 years, with a mean of 15.64 (SD=1.33 years) in Riyadh. Pearson correlation analysis and hierarchical regression analysis were employed as statistical methods in the analysis. Results indicated that 45.2% of adolescents met criteria for PIU. The Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant negative correlations between the parent-adolescent relationship and authoritative fathering style with PIU, while both mother and father authoritarian parenting styles showed significant positive correlations. Furthermore, the hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated that gender, number of hours spent online during school and non-school days, parent-adolescent relationship, and authoritarian fathering style significantly predicted adolescents' PIU. These findings emphasize the crucial role of the parent-adolescent relationship and parenting style in relation to PIU. To address PIU, this study offers evidence-based recommendations for parents, counselors, and digital literacy to mitigate PIU and promote healthy internet use among adolescents.