Problematic internet use and substance use disorder among men: A scoping review

Liezille Jacobs^*, Miché Adolph
Psychology Department, Rhodes University, Makhanda, 6140, South Africa
* Corresponding Author: Liezille Jacobs. Email: email

Journal of Psychology in Africa https://doi.org/10.32604/jpa.2025.065787

Received 26 December 2024; Accepted 21 March 2025; Published online 05 December 2025

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Abstract

This scoping review aimed to synthesise literature on problematic internet use and substance use disorder, including how they affect men, given that prior research has predominantly focused on women. The search included Web of Science, Psych Info, Science Direct, and Scopus spanning over the period 2014–2023. Studies were included for the review if they focused on Problematic Internet Use (PIU) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) among men, were peer-reviewed, and were written in English. Opinions, discussions, and theoretical papers were excluded. Sixteen studies were included in this review. Data were synthesised through thematic analysis. Emergent themes included gendered addiction patterns by which men were at higher risk for pathological gambling, gaming addiction, sex/pornography addiction, alcohol dependence, smoking, cocaine and cannabis. Moreover, substance use and PIU behavioral addictions in men were moderated by impulsivity, personality traits and stress for worse addictions. These findings provide leads for further research on gendered problematic internet use and substance use disorder, including the neurobiological substrates involved.