Exploring problematic internet use among non-latinx black and latinx youth using the problematic internet use questionnaire-short form (PIUQ-SF)

Abstract

Non-Latinx black and Latinx youth have reported more frequent Internet use compared to White youth, yet problematic Internet use among these groups of youth remains underexplored. This study aimed to validate the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire-Short Form (PIUQ-SF) and investigate the characteristics of problematic Internet use among non-Latinx black and Latinx youth. Cross-sectional data were collected from a convenience sample of 235 high school students in Southeastern Florida (Mean Age = 16.1; 69.2% non-Latinx black; 27.4% Latinx). Psychometric analyses supported the reliability and construct validity of the PIUQ-SF among non-Latinx black and Latinx youth. Latent profile analyses revealed that 37.2% of non-Latinx black youth and 25.4% of Latinx youth were identified as having problematic Internet use. Multivariate regression analyses revealed that less parental monitoring was linked to higher levels of problematic Internet use among non-Latinx black and Latinx youth. Further, sleep problems were positively related to problematic Internet use among non-Latinx black youth. The present findings provide insight into the problematic Internet use among these understudied minority groups in the literature and have important implications for research and practice with non-Latinx black and Latinx youth.

Keywords: Latent profile analysis; Latinx youth; Non-latinx black youth; Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire; Problematic internet use; Psychosocial factors.