Internet Use Scale for Emotional Distress Avoidance in Adolescents (IU-EDA): Development, Psychometric Validation, and Predictive Validity of Problematic Internet Use.

This study introduces and validates the Internet Use Scale for Emotional Distress Avoidance in Adolescents (IU-EDA), designed to assess the tendency to use the Internet as a coping strategy for negative emotional states. A total of 764 adolescents (51.8% boys; aged 11-17, mean age: 13.32 years) from ten Spanish municipalities participated across two samples. The IU-EDA was developed following theoretical models of Problematic Internet Use (PIU) and use to avoid emotional distress in adolescents. Items were developed from literature and validated via the Delphi technique. Analyses included descriptive statistics, correlations, factor analysis, reliability (Cronbach's alpha), regressions for predictive validity, and Cohen's d comparisons. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a two-factor structure: Avoidance of Negative Moods (ANM) and Avoidance of Self-Esteem Threats (AST), explaining 68.1% of the total variance. The scale showed excellent internal consistency (α = 0.923) and strong convergent validity with emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, and PIU, and weak associations with life satisfaction. ANM, associated with transient emotions like anxiety, sadness, and irritability, showed a stronger predictive relationship with PIU and variables such as late-night Internet use and extended online hours. In contrast, AST, linked to more stable emotional traits like hopelessness, had a lesser direct impact on these behaviors. The findings highlight that PIU in adolescents is primarily driven by immediate negative emotional states, emphasizing the importance of addressing emotional regulation skills in preventive interventions. Gender differences were observed, with girls scoring higher in ANM and PIU. This study validates the IU-EDA for identifying emotional factors associated with PIU and guiding prevention and treatment. It highlights ANM as a priority target, while AST requires more intensive clinical approaches where more stable emotional vulnerabilities are present.