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The aim of this study was to study the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations
between mindfulness facets and problematic Internet use (PIU) in adolescents. The
sample consisted of 609 adolescents (313 girls, 296 boys; Mean age = 14.21 years, SD
reacting) at the beginning of the year, and measures of several components of PIU
(preference for online social interactions, the use of the Internet to regulate mood,
deficient self-regulation and negative outcomes) at beginning of the year and six months
later. Findings indicated that non-judging is the only dimension of mindfulness that
PIU components. The observing and acting with awareness dimensions of mindfulness
directly predicted less deficient self-regulation of Internet use and indirectly predicted
less negative outcomes through their impact on deficient self-regulation. Thus, these
dimensions seem to act when the maladaptive use of the Internet is consolidated. These
study
In recent years, the Internet has taken on key importance in the lives of
adolescents and adults. The Internet is a valuable tool for leisure, work, academic
activities and social relationships, among others. It has also several advantages as a
medium for building emotional skills in young people (Monshat, Vella-Brodrick, Burns,
& Herrman, 2012). However, the Internet can also become the setting for several
maladaptive behaviors, such as Internet addiction and problematic Internet use (PIU)
(Pontes, Kuss, & Griffiths, 2015; Spada, 2014). PIU includes behaviors associated with
the loss of control over Internet use, cognitive preoccupation and continued use, despite
(Caplan, 2010). Several studies have found that PIU leads to important problems in
health, family relationships, and well-being (Gámez-Guadix, Calvete, Orue, & Las
Hayas, 2015; Gámez-Guadix, Orue, Smith, & Calvete, 2013). Furthermore, the
18% (Pontes et al., 2015). In this context, it is important to identify protective factors
that reduce the risk of developing PIU. Dispositional mindfulness is one such factor that
has been proposed as beneficial and providing protection against the development of
several psychological problems. In the current study, we examine whether several facets
Dispositional mindfulness
therapies. It has been proposed that the benefits of mindfulness training for health and
4
construct of dispositional mindfulness itself and its role in the emergence of several
been limited by the lack of consensus regarding the concept of mindfulness. In 2004, a
curiosity, openness, and acceptance (Bishop et al., 2004). Although this two-dimension
perspective of mindfulness has predominated in the field, theory and empirical research
Smith, Hopkins, Krietemeyer, and Toney (2006) examined the mindfulness structure by
describing, or the use of words to describe inner experiences; 3) acting with awareness,
ability to let feelings and thoughts come and go, without getting caught up in them.
Since they proposed this model, several studies have examined the role of the five
focused on depression (e.g., Ciesla, Reilly, Dickson, Emanuel, & Updegralf, 2012;
Royuela-Colomer & Calvete, 2016), some studies have also examined the role of
impairment and difficulties in controlling one’s own behavior. For instance, some
studies have found that mindfulness is linked to lower levels of substance use in both
adults (Fernández, Wood, Stain, & Rossi, 2010) and adolescents (Brown, West,
Loverich, & Biegel, 2011; Calvete, Orue, & Sampedro, 2017; Calvete, Sampedro, &
Orue, 2014).
main components: the first component consists of a preference for online social
interactions over face-to-face relationships. The preference for online social interactions
increases the use of the Internet to regulate mood (the second component), which
involves using the Internet to relieve negative states, such as sadness, stress or anxiety
2012). In addition, both the preference for online interactions and the use of the Internet
for mood regulation increase deficient self-regulation (the third component), which, in
turn, increases the likelihood of developing negative outcomes (the fourth component).
regulate behaviors related to the Internet, whereas negative outcomes include a number
(Caplan, 2010). A recent longitudinal study has provided support for this causal model,
(Gámez-Guadix et al., 2015). Furthermore, research has found that PIU is associated
with attention deficits (Yen, Yen, Chen, Tang, & Ko, 2009), depressive mood (Bernardi
& Pallanti, 2009; Kim et al., 2006), social anxiety and difficulties in social relationships
(Ko, Yen, Yen, Chen, & Chen, 2012). In contrast, individuals who rate highly in
emotions, more positive mood and adequate interpersonal skills (Dekeyser, Raes,
Leijssen, Leysen, & Dewulf, 2008; Oberman, Pineda, & Ramachandran, 2007). Thus,
PIU is scarce. Kuss, Van Rooij, Shorter, Griffiths and van de Mheen (2013) found that
the personality factor of conscientiousness, which has been associated with dispositional
online gamers. More recently, Gamez-Guadix and Calvete (2016) conducted a study to
examine whether dispositional mindfulness was associated with PIU in a large sample
all components of PIU: preference for online social interactions, mood regulation
Furthermore, some of the associations between mindfulness and PIU components were
indirectly mediated by other PIU components. For instance, mood regulation and
outcomes. However, their study had two important limitations. It was a cross-sectional
study, which prevents examining predictive associations between mindfulness and PIU.
In addition, they only examined the role of the acting with awareness component of
other components. Whereas facets such as acting with awareness and observation reflect
(2004), other facets such as non-judging and non-reactivity to inner experience would
reflect the acceptance dimension. Thus, additional research is necessary to assess the
The aim of this study was to study the cross-sectional and longitudinal
identification of those facets associated with a lower PIU should guide the development
of preventive interventions of PIU. As mentioned above, PIU has been associated with
self-regulation and attention deficits. Thus, in this study, we expected that the
would be negatively associated with the PIU components of the use of the Internet to
emotional distress and depression, the mindfulness facets related to acceptance (i.e.,
with the use of the Internet to regulate mood and the negative outcomes of PIU. Finally,
facets and certain PIU components, such as negative outcomes, would be mediated by
Method
Participants
The initial study sample was made up by 749 adolescents between 11 and 18
years of age. From the initial sample, 609 participants completed the measures during
the two waves of the study (permanence rate= 81.30 %). A series of t-tests were
conducted to examine the differences in all study variables at T1 among the adolescents
who completed both waves and those who failed to complete the study. None of these
differences was significant.Thus, the final sample comprised 609 adolescents (313 girls,
296 boys). The mean age was 14.21 years (SD = 1.71; age range: 11-18). The
participants were students selected from 6 randomly chosen schools in Bizkaia and
8
Measures
Use Scale 2 (GPIUS2; Caplan, 2010; Gámez-Guadix, Orue, & Calvete, 2013), which
consists of 15 items grouped into four distinct subscales: a) preference for online social
interactions (3 items; e.g., “Online social interaction is more comfortable for me than
face-to-face interaction”); b) mood regulation (3 items; e.g., “I have used the Internet to
make myself feel better when I’ve felt upset”); c) deficient self-regulation (6 items; e.g.,
“I find it difficult to control my Internet use”); and d) negative outcomes (3 items; e.g.,
(strongly disagree). This scale has good psychometric properties, including construct
and convergent validity, and adequate reliability (Caplan, 2010; Gámez-Guadix et al.,
2013). In the present study, the reliability (Cronbach’s alpha) of the subscales ranged
The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ; Baer et al. 2006). The
FFMQ is a 39-item self-report questionnaire that measures five distinct facets of trait
mindfulness: Observing (e.g., “ I notice the smells and aromas of things”), describing (e.g.,
(e.g., reverse-scoring item: “I disapprove of myself when I have irrational ideas”), acting
inner experience (e.g., “I pay attention to my feelings without getting lost in them”). The
items are rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale ranging from 1 (never or rarely true) to 5
9
(very often or always true). In this study, we used the Spanish version of the FFMQ that
was adapted for use with adolescents (Royuela-Colomer & Calvete, 2016). Cronbach’s α
coefficients were: observing= .70, acting with awareness= .78, describing = .71, non-
Procedure
The schools were selected randomly and included both public and private schools. The
study’s procedures and objectives were explained to school administrators. After obtaining
their permission, we informed the adolescents that we were conducting a study among
young people to explore their mindfulness capacity and their usage of new technologies. All
participants were told that their participation was voluntary and that their responses would
remain anonymous. All of the recruited students consented to participate in the study.
Parents were also notified and given the option to refuse to allow their child’s participation.
Adolescents were encouraged to ask questions if they had any trouble answering the items.
The adolescents completed the study questionnaires in their classrooms. The questionnaires
took 40-60 minutes to complete. The Ethics Committee of the (masked university) approved
this study.
Results
Table 1 shows the descriptive statistics (mean and SD) and the Pearson
correlations for the study variables. The majority of cross-sectional associations (at time
1) between the facets of mindfulness and PIU components were significant and in the
expected direction. Specifically, the strongest associations were found between the
facets of mindfulness of non-judging and acting with awareness with all the components
of PIU, the correlations of which were significant in all cases (all, p < .001). The total
10
score for mindfulness correlated -.29 with T1 problematic Internet use and -.28 with T2
between five facets of mindfulness and PIU components. Goodness of fit was assessed
using the non-normed fit index (NNFI), the comparative fit index (CFI), the root mean
square error of approximation (RMSEA) and the standardized root mean square residual
(SRMR). NNFI and CFI values of .90 or higher indicate a good fit. RMSEA and SRMR
values lower than .08 indicate an adequate fit (Byrne, 2013). Due to a violation of the
normality assumption that was observed in the data (normalized Mardia's coefficient =
32.48), the robust maximum likelihood (ML) estimation method was employed, which
includes the Satorra–Bentler-scaled χ2 index (S–B χ2) and other corrected statistics.The
structural equation models were tested via maximum likelihood using EQS 6.1.
First, an initial model was estimated that included all the relationships between
the facets of mindfulness measured at T1 and the PIU components at T1. The model
also included the autoregressive path from each PIU component in T1 to the same
component at T2. This approach allowed for the examination of the extent to which T1
model of PIU (e.g., preference for Internet use is expected to increase the probability of
associated with a preference for online relationships (.16, p<.001), mood regulation (-
.24, p<.001), deficient self-regulation on the Internet (-.30, p<.001) and negative
outcomes (-.19, p<.001). Non-judging was also significantly associated with lower
11
scores on the preference for online relationships (.19, p<.05), mood regulation (-.19,
p<.001), deficient self-regulation on the Internet (-.22, p<.001) and negative outcomes
(-.24, p<.001). In addition, describing was significantly associated with lower scores on
the preference for online relationships (-.09, p<.01). The other associations between
With regard to longitudinal paths, the initially estimated model showed that
some paths were not statistically significant. For example, the paths from a T1 nonreact
to T2 PIU components were not statistically significant. These paths were removed
from the model, which was re-estimated based only on the significant paths (see Fig.
1). The fit indexes for the estimated final model were satisfactory: χ2 (42, N = 609) =
134.43, NNFI = .92, CFI = .95, RMSEA = .060 (90% CI: .049, .072) and SRMR = .048.
Fig. 1 shows the estimated final model. Following the approach used by Cole
and Maxwell (Cole & Maxwell, 2003), unstandarized coefficients and standard errors
are presented. The estimated model showed several direct relationships between T1
and with less T2 negative outcomes. In adition, we found that higher acting with
awareness and observing scores at T1 reduced the probability of more deficient self-
regulation on the Internet at T2. Finally, higher T1 describing scores were associated
the preference for online social interaction, the use of the Internet for mood regulation,
The model shown in Figure 1 also suggests the presence of several indirect
relationships between mindfulness facets and the PIU components. Thus, we also
analyzed the significance of these indirect effects. The data supported the following
association between non-judging and mood regulation (z = -2.67; p < .01), non-judging
and negative outcomes (z = -2.59, p < .01), observing and and deficient self-regulation
(z = -2.62, p < .01), observing and negative outcomes (z = -2.25, p < .05), and finally,
and indirect relationship between acting with awareness and negative outcomes (z = -
Discussion
Whereas previous studies have focused on risk and vulnerability factors, this study
Cross-sectional findings at the baseline revealed that acting with awareness and
non-judging were the dimensions of mindfulness that were most closely associated with
dimensions predict the decrease of PIU over time. According to these analyses, non-
judging is the only dimension of mindfulness that predicts a decrease in the preference
for online social interactions over face-to-face relationships. Non-judging represents the
acceptance facet of dispositional mindfulness (Brown & Ryan, 2003), and has been
found to be associated with fewer depressive symptoms and rumination (e.g., Royuela-
Colomer & Calvete, 2016). It is possible that adolescents who score low in non-judging
present difficulties accepting social relationships with peers as they are. They could try
13
to find alternative forms of social relationships through the Internet that are less
stressful. Moreover, non-judging indirectly predicted the rest of the PIU components.
Thus, through the preference for online social relationships, non-judging predicted less
use of the Internet to regulate mood, difficulties in self-regulation of Internet use and
negative outcomes of Internet use. These results are congruent with previous studies
showing that low non-judging is the mindfulness component most closely related to
lower scores for depression and neuroticism (Christopher & Gilbert, 2010; Giluk,
2009), which in turn, have been consistently related to PIU (e.g., Spada, 2014; Van der
Aa et al., 2014). These findings suggest that the lack of acceptance of current feelings
and thoughts, which are characteristic of adolescents who score low in non-judging,
initiate a process of chained elements, culminating in the loss of control over Internet
seem to act once the maladaptive use of the Internet has been consolidated. These
compulsion and loss of control. Moreover, observing and acting with awareness
indirectly predicted fewer negative outcomes through their impact on deficient self-
finding contrasts with the results of previous studies, which have found that observing
can be maladaptive in samples of people who do not meditate (Baer et al., 2006, 2008;
Royuela-Colomer & Calvete, 2016). These previous studies have focused on other
psychological problems, such as depression, and none of them examined the role of
observing in PIU. Observing could therefore play a role in the prevention of the loss of
In any case, the above findings are consistent with our hypothesis, as these two
awareness of current experience or the present reality. They considered that this aspect
of mindfulness is foundational to mindfulness. The findings are also consistent with the
significant associations between acting with awareness and all PIU components that
mentioned, their study was cross-sectional and did not include other mindfulness
dimensions.
Overall, in the current study, the role of other mindfulness dimensions was less
experiences did not predict changes in PIU over time. Cross-sectional associations with
The effect sizes of the longitudinal paths between the mindfulness dimensions
and PIU components were small. However, these paths should be considered in the
between all the variables at T1 and included auto-regressive paths between T1 and T2
over time. The time elapsed between measures was six months, and it is not very likely
that substantial changes in the problematic Internet use would take place over such a
This study has some limitations that should be considered when interpreting the
results. One limitation is that the non-reacting dimension of mindfulness displayed low
15
consistency in the study sample. It is possible that the lack of significant results for this
dimension is due to the lower internal consistence of this subscale. A second limitation
is the exclusive use of self-reports to assess the variables of the study, which can
overestimate the association between variables. Although self-reports are probably the
Despite the above limitations, the results of this study have important
Williams & Teasdale, 2002). The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program aims to
develop mindfulness skills through the practice of body scanning, sitting meditation,
Therapy program combines meditation training with cognitive therapy strategies. Both
adolescents who present PIU. Importantly, the studies should examine which
mindfulness dimensions mediate the effects of the intervention in each of the different
PIU components. The study of the mechanisms through which the intervention acts is
key to identifying the components of the interventions that should be emphasized and to
provide additional information for theoretical and research applications (Kazdin, 2007).
16
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Table 1. Means, standard deviations and correlations among trait mindfulness and PIU components.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
1. T1
Observing
2. T1 .18**
Describing
3. T1 Acting -.04 .22**
aware
4. T1 Non- -.14** .19** .35**
judging
5. T1 .39** .30** -.02 -.09*
Nonreacting
6. T1 POSI -.09* -.17** -.17** -.19** -.08
10. T2 POSI -.08* -.16** -.14** -.18** -.08 .42** .33** .33** .29**
11. T2 MR -.02 -.05 -.18** -.18** .02 .22** .47** .36** .22** .58**
22
12. T2 DSR -.09* -.08 -.30** -.21** -.05 .30** .39** .62** .40** .49** .56**
13. T2 NO -.10* -.14** -.23** -.23** -.03 .27** .30** .42** .37** .49** .47** .67**
14. T1 .50** .66** .58** .52** .50** -.26** -.18** -.26** -.26** -.23** -.16** -.27** -.27**
Mindfulness
15. T1 Total -.06 -.11** -.31** -.26** -.03 .75** .79** .91** .80** .40** .40** .56** .43** -.29**
PIU
16. T2 Total -.09* -.11** -.27** -.24** -.05 .33** .44** .53** .36** .73** .80** .89** .78** -.28** .53**
PIU
Mean 3.14 3.21 3.31 3.48 2.91 1.86 2.36 2.17 1.76 1.64 2.34 2.07 1.60 3.25 2.07 1.95
Standard .71 .63 .70 .73 .58 1.02 1.28 1.09 .94 .99 1.39 1.13 .87 .45 .90 .93
Deviation
Note. POSI= Preference for online social interactions, MR= Mood regulation , DSR= Deficient self-regulation, NO =Negative outcomes,
PIU=Problematic Internet use. * p<.05; ** p<.001.
23
Figure 1. Estimated final model between T1 mindfulness facets and T2 PIU components.
.18 (.04)***
-.15 (.05)**
T1 Describing
-.10 (.04)*
-.09 (.04)*
T1 Non-judging
-.09 (.04)*
T2 Negative Outcomes
Note. *p < .05, ** p < .01, ***p < .001.The values given are non-standardized coefficients (standard errors are in parentheses). The estimated
model includes the autoregressive paths from each PIU component in T1 to the same component at T2: T1 and T2 preference for online social
24
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interactions [.39 (.05)**], T1 and T2 using the Internet for mood regulation [.34 (.04)], T1 and T2 deficient self-regulation [.46 (.04)], and T1 and