Family Conflict and Parenting Practices as Predictors of Internet Addiction

Abstract This research aimed to analyze the predictive effect of reasons for conflict between parents and children, the interparental conflict and parenting practices for Internet addiction (IA) in young people. The sample consisted of 200 people (152 girls and 48 boys), between 15 and 24 years of age, 85.5% residing in Rio Grande do Sul and 14.5% in other states. Participants individually responded to the protocol available online. Results indicated as predictors conflicts over the internet with the father, the threat of interparental conflict, conflict over the internet with the mother and the practice of parental emotional support. Together, these variables explained 21.2% of Internet addiction. The results corroborate with international studies indicating that family variables investigated have a significant role in predicting the IA, considering that this is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon.