The role of cognitive flexibility and psychological well-being in the effect of mindfulness on problematic internet use

With the widespread use of digital technologies today, the Internet has become an indispensable part of life but has also led to negative outcomes such as problematic internet use in some individuals. Problematic internet use is seen as a critical risk factor that negatively impacts individuals’ academic, social, and psychological functioning. Research has presented a lot of evidence in recent years that psychological resources, such as mindfulness, cognitive flexibility, and psychological well-being, play a noteworthy role in protecting individuals against such risky behaviors. This study aimed to examine the chain (serial) mediation roles of cognitive flexibility and psychological well-being in the effect of individuals’ mindfulness on problematic internet use. The majority of the participants in this study, using a cross-sectional, correlational design, were female (73.1%), their socio-economic level was moderate (70.4%), and their mothers (69.6%) and fathers (52.3%) had secondary school education. It was found that the majority of the participants used the Internet for 2–4 h a day (44.2%). Participant age ranged between 18 and 26 (Mean = 19.16, SD = 1.52). Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Mindfulness Scale, the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, the Psychological Well-Being Scale, and the Problematic Internet Usage Scale. When the research findings were examined, it was found that mindfulness had a positive significant relationship with cognitive flexibility and psychological well-being. Negative significant relationships were observed between problematic internet use and mindfulness, cognitive flexibility, and psychological well-being. When the mediation analyses of the study were examined, it was determined that both cognitive flexibility and psychological well-being had mediation roles in the relationship between mindfulness and problematic internet use. In addition, it was revealed that cognitive flexibility and psychological well-being had a chain (serial) mediation role in the relationship between mindfulness and problematic internet use. It was determined that as the mindfulness levels of individuals increased, their cognitive flexibility and psychological well-being levels increased, too. On the other hand, it was observed that having high levels of mindfulness, cognitive flexibility, and psychological well-being decreased problematic internet use levels. In addition to these results, it was found that the relationship between mindfulness and problematic internet use was mediated by cognitive flexibility and psychological well-being. The findings obtained from the research were discussed in light of the literature, and various suggestions were made.