Maladaptive personality traits and internet addiction symptoms among young adults: A study based on the alternative DSM-5 model for personality disorders

Objective: This study aims to examine the relationship between maladaptive personality traits and Internet addiction symptoms among young adults. Even though the linkage between personality traits and problematic Internet use has already been investigated in several studies, the need exists to explore how dysfunctional variants of personality traits, as conceived in the DSM-5 alternative model for personality disorders, are linked to the misuse of the Internet in young adults. Method: Three hundred forty-nine university students aged between 18 and 25 years old completed measures on Internet use, Internet addiction symptoms, and maladaptive personality traits. Results: Internet addiction scores were associated with all of the DSM-5 domains of maladaptive personality traits. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that negative affectivity, disinhibition, and psychoticism predicted Internet addiction symptoms. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that clinical interventions aimed at fostering affect regulation and at integrating disorganized mental states may be helpful for young adults who display problematic Internet use.