Adolescents in Quarantine: Problematic Internet Use, Coping, and Vulnerability Conditions in Jujuy, Argentina

Abstract

Although adolescents possess cognitive and behavioral resources to resolve stressful situations, evidence suggests that some adolescents with problematic Internet use employ maladaptive coping strategies and virtual behaviors. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationships between Internet use and coping styles in 56 socioeconomically vulnerable adolescents from Jujuy, Argentina during mandatory isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A questionnaire containing questions about sociodemographic information, Internet use, and coping styles was administered virtually. The results of the study are presented and the importance of interventions in virtual contexts with adolescents is highlighted.