Abstract

The present study examines the relationships between problematic Internet use (GPIU) and two regulatory modes (RMs) namely Locomotion and Assessment. Through an online survey conducted on two hundred and forty six participants we found that Locomotion and Assessment regulatory orientations have opposite effects on the likelihood of developing GPIU, with the former reducing and the latter increasing it. Specifically, while Assessment orientation positively correlates with each GPIU dimension, Locomotion orientation negatively correlates with POSI, compulsive Internet use and negative outcome. Results also show how deficient self-regulation mediates the effect Assessment has on Negative outcome. Conversely, the effect of Locomotion remained significant. This study introduces RMs orientations as new theoretical antecedents of GPIU discussing potential practical implications