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Cited by 28Impact of Technology on AdolescentsSexuality, Behavior, and TechnologyChild Development and Digital Technology

Problematic internet usage: the impact of objectively Recorded and categorized usage time, emotional intelligence components and subjective happiness about usage

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Alshakhsi, Sameha, Chemnad, Khansa, Almourad, Mohamed Basel, Altuwairiqi, Majid, McAlaney, John, Ali, Raian·2022·Heliyon
DOI 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11055PMC PMC9587279
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Abstract

Most research on Problematic Internet Usage (PIU) relied on self-report data when measuring the time spent on the internet. Self-reporting of use, typically done through a survey, showed discrepancies from the actual amount of use. Studies exploring the association between trait emotional intelligence (EI) components and the subjective feeling on technology usage and PIU are also limited. The current cross-sectional study aims to examine whether the objectively recorded technology usage, taking smartphone usage as a representative, components of trait EI (sociability, emotionality, well-being, self-control), and happiness with phone use can predict PIU and its components (obsession, neglect, and control disorder). A total of 268 participants (Female: 61.6%) reported their demographic and completed a questionnaire that included Problematic Internet Usage Questionnaire short form (PIUQ–SF–6), Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form (TEIQue-SF), level of happiness with the amount and frequency of smartphone use, and living conditions (whether alone or with others). Their smartphone usage was objectively recorded through a dedicated app. A series of one-way ANOVA revealed no significant difference in PIU for different living conditions and a significant difference in the subjective level of happiness with phone usage (F (3, 264) = 7.55, p < .001), as well as of the frequency of usage where the unhappy group had higher PIU (F (3, 264) = 6.85, p < .001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that happiness with phone usage (β = −.17), the actual usage of communication (β = .17), social media (β = .19) and gaming apps (β = .13), and trait EI component of self-control (β = −.28) were all significant predictors of PIU. Moreover, gender, age, and happiness with the frequency of phone usage were not significant predictors of PIU. The whole model accounted for the total variance of PIU by 32.5% (Adjusted R 2 = .287). Our study contributes to the literature by being among the few to rely on objectively recorded smartphone usage data and utilizing components of trait EI as predictors.

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  • A small number of studies have shown that lower levels of emotional intelligence may be correlated with higher levels of problematic use of technological communication media such as smartphones, the Internet, and video games.

    “A small number of studies have shown that lower levels of emotional intelligence may be correlated with higher levels of problematic use of technological communication media such as smartphones, the Internet, and video games (Alshakhsi etal., 2022; Che etal., 2017; Gisbert-Pérez etal., 2024).”

    From Adolescent Social Media Use and Emotional Intelligence: A Systematic Review (2025) · cites this paper as Alshakhsi et al., 2022

    The Introduction reports that a few studies found a significant negative relationship between emotional intelligence and problematic internet use, supporting the claim’s central point. The Discussion addresses smartphone use, but says its measurement is not representative of gaming-app overuse; this source does not establish the claimed relationship for problematic video-game use. (LLM, conf=0.85)

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  • People with lower levels of emotional intelligence are more likely to develop problematic behaviors.

    “On the other hand, people with lower levels of emotional intelligence are more likely to develop problematic behaviors.”

    From Adolescent Social Media Use and Emotional Intelligence: A Systematic Review (2025) · cites this paper as Alshakhsi et al., 2022

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Authors
Alshakhsi, S., Chemnad, K., Almourad, M. B., Altuwairiqi, M., McAlaney, J., & Ali, R.
Affiliations
  • Hamad bin Khalifa University (QA)
  • Zayed University (AE)
  • Taif University (SA)
  • Bournemouth University (GB)
Corresponding author
  • Alshakhsi, Sameha
  • Ali, Raian
ORCID
Venue
Heliyon
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2022-10
Volume
8
Issue
10
Pages
e11055
ISSN
2405-8440 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11055
PMC
PMC9587279
OpenAlex
W4304892856
Cited by
28
References
19
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 3
FWCI
7.55
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Heliyon (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Bournemouth University Research Online (Bournemouth University) (acceptedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Taif University (1-441-79)
  • Qatar National Library
  • Zayed University (R180053)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
  • Social Sciences › Education › Child Development and Digital Technology
Keywords
problematic internet use, trait emotional intelligence, self-control, smartphone use, social media use, obsession, neglect, living conditions

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