Psychological Characteristics of Internet Users with Different Strategies of Online Behavior: Analysis of Time Perspective and Coping Strategies

Introduction. The modern information society is characterized by a deep integration of the Internet space into all spheres of human life. The Internet has become a full-fledged environment for living, socializing, professional and educational activities, and personal self-realization. This naturally actualizes for psychological science the task of understanding how various forms of interaction with the network affect the individual, what psychological features characterize Internet active users, and how value-semantic, cognitive, and affective spheres are transformed under the influence of the digital environment. Goal. ИStudying the psychological characteristics of Internet users with different information behavior strategies.

Materials and methods. The study involved 387 respondents aged 18-25 years. The followingmethods were used: "Information Behavior Strategies "(Abakumova et al., 2021)," Time Perspective Questionnaire "by F. Zimbardo," Coping with Stress Questionnaire "(COPE)," Internet Addiction Scale " by Chen. Statistical processing included cluster analysis (k-means), nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis tests, and pairwise Dunn comparisons.

Results. Cluster analysis allowed us to identify three groups of users: 1) passive-constructive (the least engaged users); 2) active-constructive (focused on building an online identity and social approval); 3) active-destructive (with a predominance of destructive motives combined with individual pragmatic motives). It was found that respondents of all groups demonstrate a high orientation to the future and orientation to the hedonistic present (probably due to age). In the group with an active-constructive strategy, the desire to find emotional support in the Internet environment as an additional resource of coping was revealed. Respondents with a destructive strategy are characterized by a high need for pleasure and a low ability to reflect on past experiences, which causes them to turn to the Internet to respond to negative emotions and avoid real problems. Active strategies (both constructive and destructive) are associated with a higher risk of developing Internet addiction, while passive-constructive strategies are characterized by greater psychological stability. The most vulnerable group is respondents with an active-destructive strategy, demonstrating high involvement in the Internet environment, an obsessive desire to be constantly online, difficulties in managing time, and intrapersonal problems.

Discussion. The key factor determining the psychological safety of a user in the Internet environment is not so much the intensity of network use, but the qualitative originality of the motivational basis and the psychological content of the activity performed. The results obtained can be used to develop differentiated programs for preventing Internet addiction and improving the information and psychological security of users.

1. Aydın, T., Parris, B. A., Arabacı, G., Kilintari, M., & Taylor, J. (2025). On the relationship between internet addiction and ADHD symptoms in adults: does the type of online activity matter? BMC public health, 25(1), 2072. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23040-4

2. Chen, J., Liu, J., Zhao, G., & Kong, F. (2021). Internet Behavior Preferences Predict Pathological Internet Use: A Latent Profile Analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 644623.

3. Dolly, D., & Samantaray, S. (2024). Navigating the digital landscape: Relationship between type of internet use and well-being among students—A mediation and moderation analysis. Indian Journal of Psychiatry 66(3), 263–271. https://doi.org/10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_718_23

4. Davydova, M. A., Dubover, D. A., Grishina, A.V. (2023). Strategies of information behavior of students in the conditions of transformation of the media space. Innovative Science: psychology, pedagogy, defectology, 6(1), 24–34. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.23947/2658-7165-2023-6-1-24-34

5. Emelin, V. A., Rasskazova, E. I., & Tkhostov, A. Sh. (2014) The influence of information technologies on the transformation of coping behavior. Questions of psychology ,4, 49-59. (In Russ.)

6. Godard, R., & Holtzman, S. (2024). Are active and passive social media use related to mental health, wellbeing, and social support outcomes? A meta-analysis of 141 studies. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 29(1), zmad055. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcmc/zmad055

7. Goryunov, I. O. (2025) Typologization of Internet users in Russia based on the goals and motives of network activity. Theory and Practice of Social Development., 8 (208), 102-112–112. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.24158/tipor.2025.8.12

8. Hansen, A., & Modecki, K. L. (2024). A lifeline to fill the silence of homelessness: Person-centered analysis of digital coping and links to mental and physical health. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 27(12), 919–928. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2023.0641

9. Hidalgo-Fuentes, S., & Fernández-Castilla, B. (2024). Problematic internet use and the big five personality model: an updated three-level meta-analysis. Behaviour & Information Technology, 43(14), 3537–3560. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2023.2283201

10. Kayiş, A. R., Satici, B., Yilmaz, M. F., Şimşek, D., Ceyhan, E., & Bakioğlu, F. (2016). Big five-personality trait and internet addiction: A meta-analytic review. Computers in Human Behavior, 63, 35–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.05.012

11. Laconi, S., Kalaitzaki, A., Spritzer, D. T., Hauck, S., Gnisci, A., Sergi, I., Vally, Z., Tudorel, O., Vintila, M., Malik, S., Ramos-Diaz, J., Männikkö, N., Cikrikci, O., Salas, G., Ardila, R., Zambrano, D., Lopez-Calle, C., & Sahlan, R. N. (2025). A cross-cultural exploration of problematic Internet use, pathological personality traits, defense mechanisms, coping strategies, and self-esteem in 14 countries. Annales Médico-Psychologiques, 183(4), 400–406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amp.2022.09.008

12. Li, L., Yuan, X., Lin, L. et al. (2025). A gender comparison based network analysis for social media addiction behaviors in cross-cultural contexts. Scientific Reports, 15, 22796. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-22796-4

13. Lin, S., Longobardi, C. (2025). Social media use profiles and well-being: A cross-cultural study between Chinese and Italian emerging adults.Emerging Adulthood, 13(2), 254–264. https://doi.org/10.1177/21676968241304146

14. Luchinkina, A. I., & Zekeryaev, R. I. (2019). Psychological features of the value-semantic sphere of a person with different levels of Internet activity. Problem of Modern Sciences, (64-1), 346–351. (In Russ.)

15. Malygin, V. L. (2011). Internet-dependent behavior. Diagnostic criteria and methods. Moscow State University of Medicine. (In Russ.)

16. Martín Herrero, J. A., Torres García, A. V., Vega-Hernández, M. C., Iglesias Carrera, M., & Kubo, M. (2025). Patterns of ICT Use and Technological Dependence in University Students from Spain and Japan: A Cross-Cultural Analysis. International journal of environmental research and public health, 22(5), 737. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22050737

17. Pogozhina, I. N., Podolsky, A. I., Idobaeva, O. A., & Podolskaya, T. A. (2020). Digital behavior and features of the motivational sphere of Internet users: logical and categorical analysis. Educational Studies, (3), 60–94. (In Russ.)

18. Rasskazova, E. I., Gordeeva, T. O., Osin, E. N. (2013). Coping strategies in the structure of activity and self-regulation. Psychology. Journal of the Higher School of Economics, 10(1), 82–118. (In Russ.)

19. Soldatova, G. U., Chigarkova, S. V., & Ilyukhina, S. N. (2022). Perceptions of real and virtual spaces as part of the current worldview of adolescents and parents in a digital society: opportunities for adaptation. Bulletin of the Saint Petersburg State University. Psychology, 12(3), 226–248. (In Russ.)

20. Syrtsova, A., Sokolova, E. T., Mitina, O. V. (2008). Adaptation of the questionnaire on the time perspective of F.'s personality. Zimbardo. Psychological Journal, 29(3), 101–109. (In Russ.)