Parenting Styles, Loneliness and Problematic Internet Use Among Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Authors

  • Zulkarnain Zulkarnain Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Sumatera Utara Jl. Dr. Mansur no. 7, Padang Bulan, Medan, 20155, Indonesia
  • Tarmidi Tarmidi Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Sumatera Utara Jl. Dr. Mansur no. 7, Padang Bulan, Medan, 20155, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7741-1316
  • Eni Purwasih Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Sumatera Utara Jl. Dr. Mansur no. 7, Padang Bulan, Medan, 20155, Indonesia
  • Sofya Nartova Bochaver Department of Psychology, HSE University 20 Myasnitskaya Street, Moscow, 101000, Russia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2025.2.231.249

Keywords:

parenting styles, problematic internet use, adolescents, authoritative parenting

Abstract

Aim. The aim of this study is to explore the relationships between parenting styles, loneliness, and problematic internet use among adolescents, and to determine the contributions of these factors to PIU.

Methods. The study involved 529 high school students aged 15 to 18 years. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and analysed through stepwise regression to assess the impact of different parenting styles and loneliness on PIU.

Results. The study found that authoritative parenting emerged as a strong negative predictor of problematic internet use (PIU). Adolescents who experienced authoritative parenting, a style marked by high levels of both responsiveness and demand—tended to have lower levels of PIU. Conversely, authoritarian, permissive, and loneliness were identified as positive predictors of PIU.

Conclusions. These findings emphasise the importance of both parenting style and emotional well-being in influencing adolescents' internet use behaviour. Effective interventions should address these factors to help reduce PIU and promote healthier online habits. Authoritative parenting plays a significant role in reducing PIU among adolescents. Interventions that promote authoritative parenting practices and address loneliness are recommended as effective strategies for mitigating PIU.

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Author Biographies

  • Zulkarnain Zulkarnain, Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Sumatera Utara Jl. Dr. Mansur no. 7, Padang Bulan, Medan, 20155, Indonesia

    Zulkarnain is a professor of psychology and a senior faculty member at the Faculty of Psychology, University of Sumatera Utara. His scholarly interests center on psychological wellbeing and the development and validation of psychological measurement tools. In addition to his work on wellbeing, several of his studies have focused on personality, particularly in relation to individual differences and their impact on mental health outcomes.

  • Tarmidi Tarmidi, Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Sumatera Utara Jl. Dr. Mansur no. 7, Padang Bulan, Medan, 20155, Indonesia

    Tarmidi is a faculty member at the Faculty of Psychology, University of Sumatera Utara and  PhD in educational psychology. His academic and research interests are primarily centered on school psychology and the dynamics of the learning climate. He is particularly interested in how psychological principles can be applied to enhance the quality of educational environments and student wellbeing.

  • Eni Purwasih, Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Sumatera Utara Jl. Dr. Mansur no. 7, Padang Bulan, Medan, 20155, Indonesia

    Eni Purwasih is a psychologist with a master's degree in psychology, specializing in adolescent mental health. Her professional interests include understanding the psychological challenges faced by teenagers and promoting mental wellness through preventive and intervention-based approaches.

  • Sofya Nartova Bochaver , Department of Psychology, HSE University 20 Myasnitskaya Street, Moscow, 101000, Russia

    Sofya Nartova-Bochaver is a professor in the Department of Psychology at HSE University, Moscow. She is a leading scholar in the fields of personality psychology and ecological psychology, with a particular focus on the psychological aspects of human–environment interaction. Her research explores how individuals experience personal space, develop ecological consciousness, and construct authentic identities, particularly during adolescence. Her participation in this study was supported by the Basic Research Program at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE University).

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Published

2025-06-27

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2025): Journal of Education Culture and Society

Section

TRANSGRESSION

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Copyright (c) 2025 Zulkarnain Zulkarnain, Tarmidi Tarmidi, Eni Purwasih, Sofya Nartova Bochaver

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How to Cite

Zulkarnain, Z. ., Tarmidi, T., Purwasih, E., & Bochaver , S. N. (2025). Parenting Styles, Loneliness and Problematic Internet Use Among Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Analysis. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 16(1), 231-249. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2025.2.231.249