Title:
PROBLEMATIC INTERNET USE AND WELLBEING: A STUDY OF KUWAIT AND UK STUDENTS

Authors:
Hasah Alheneidi and Andrew P Smith* ,UK

Abstract:
Research suggests that problematic internet use is associated with reduced wellbeing and impaired academic attainment. This issue was examined here and the first study of this topic in Kuwait is reported. 110 Kuwait University students participated in the survey which measured wellbeing and established predictors of wellbeing (information overload, stressors, negative coping, social support and positive personality). Univariate analyses showed that problematic internet use was associated with reduced wellbeing. Regressions controlling for established predictors showed that the effect of internet use remained significant. Additional analyses compared Kuwait and UK samples. No differences were found between countries. The present findings suggest that the effect of problematic internet use occurs in different cultures. Further research is needed to examine the role of type of internet use and to determine whether effects are also seen in other groups such as workers