Purpose of Review: In this systematic review, we examine the contribution of rumination (a maladaptive coping style of emotion regulation) when accounting for the onset and severity of different internet use disorders (IUDs).
Recent Findings: We retained and analyzed 42 studies that explored the association between rumination and six different IUDs: problematic smartphone use, problematic internet use, problematic social networks use, problematic online gaming, problematic online gambling, and online buying-shopping disorder. Overall, the available results suggest that rumination is positively associated with IUDs and that this association is consistent across multiple technology-mediated problematic behaviors. Furthermore, many of the reviewed studies underscore the contribution of rumination when explaining how and for whom, or under what conditions, different variables (e.g., unpleasant emotional states) are related to IUDs.
Summary: This systematic review offers a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the association between rumination and IUDs and identifies new areas that warrant further research.