Afsaneh Moradi

Background:In the past decade, problematic internet use, characterized by excessive and uncontrollable internet usage, has emerged as a global health issue, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Given the importance of this issue, the researcher aimed to identify the factors influencing problematic internet use. Aim: This study examines the impact of the family environment on problematic internet use, considering the mediating role of self-control and psychological capital, as well as the moderating role of gender in adolescents. Methodology: The statistical population of the research included all first-year high school students in Shiraz during the academic year 2022-2023. Using a multi-stage cluster sampling method, 559 students (287 boys and 272 girls) were selected as the sample. Structural equation modeling was used to test the study's hypotheses. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicated that the family environment (cohesion, expressiveness, and conflict) has a significant direct effect on problematic internet use and an indirect effect through the mediation of self-control. However, the influence of family environment components through psychological capital and gender moderation on problematic internet use was insignificant. Psychological capital as a mediator and gender as a moderator does not play a role in the relationship between the family environment and problematic internet use. Therefore, it appears that improving the family environment, especially self-control, is a useful strategy for preventing and intervening in addressing problematic internet use among adolescents.