JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Problematic internet use (PIU) is associated with mental health concerns such as depression and affects over 12% of young adults. Few studies have explored potential influences of parent-college student digital communication on young adult college students’ risk of PIU.

Objective:

This study sought to understand the relationship between parent-college student digital communication frequency—via phone calls, text messages, and Facebook contacts—and PIU among college students.

Methods:

Incoming first year students were randomly selected from registrar lists of a Midwestern and Northwestern university for a five-year longitudinal study. Data from interviews conducted in summer 2014 were used. Measures included participants’ daily Facebook visits, communication frequency with parents via phone call and text message, as well as 3 types of Facebook connection: 1) parent-college student Facebook friendship status, 2) college student blocking personal Facebook content from parent, and 3) Facebook communication frequency. PIU risk was assessed using the Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale. Analysis included participants who reported visiting Facebook at least once per day. Multiple Linear Regression was used, followed by a post-hoc mediation with Hayes Process Macro to further investigate predictive relationships among significant variables.

Results:

Altogether, 151 participants reported daily Facebook use and were included in analyses. Among these participants, 60% were female, 62% were from the Midwestern university, and 79% were Caucasian. Mean Facebook visits per day was 4.28 (SD = 3.34). There was a collective significant effect between participant daily Facebook visits, college student-parent phone calls, texts, and all 3 Facebook connection variables (F(6, 144) = 2.60, P=.02, R2 = .10). Two individual items were significant predictors for PIU: participant daily Facebook visits was positively associated with increased PIU risk (b =.04, P=.006) and being friends with a parent on Facebook was negatively associated with PIU Risk (b = -.66, P=.008). Participant daily Facebook visits was not a significant mediator of the relationship between college student-parent Facebook friendship and PIU risk (b = -.04, BCa CI [-.1098, .0348]).

Conclusions:

Findings may inform parenting approaches around digital communication. Parent social media connections may be involved in relationships that protect against PIU among college students. Clinical Trial: NA