Does loneliness, self‐esteem and psychological distress correlate with problematic internet use? A Bangladeshi survey study

Abstract

Background: Researchers have claimed that problematic internet use (PIU) and internet addiction (IA) is a global mental health problem. However, little research has addressed this issue in Bangladesh and no previous study has examined the relationship between PIU and potential psychological risk factors.Aim: The present study examined the prevalence of PIU and its associated risk factors including socio-demographic variables, internet use behaviors, and other psychological variables including loneliness, self-esteem, and psychological distress. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among Bangladeshi students (N = 605). Measures included the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, the UCLA Loneliness Scale, and the General Health Questionnaire.Results: Using a cut-off score of ≤60 (out of 100) on the IAT, the prevalence of PIU was 16.5% (n = 100). Regression analysis showed that sleep disturbance (more or less than 6-7 hours sleeping time), not using internet for academic purposes, and online chatting were risk factors for PIU. Loneliness and psychological distress were positively correlated with PIU, whereas self-esteem was negatively correlated. Conclusions:The present study highlights that PIU among Bangladeshi university students is an issue of concern and that targeted prevention is needed among emerging adults to help overcome the potentially negative effects of problematic internet use. K E Y W O R D SBangladeshi students, internet addiction, loneliness, problematic internet use, self-esteem | INTRODUCTIONResearch concerning problematic internet use (PIU) and internet addiction (IA) has become a much-increased research area following the growth of internet technology. IA has been found to be associated and correlated with a variety of psychiatric disorders (eg, substance use disorder, depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, psychological distress, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, self-esteem, hostility, etc.) and the relationships between IA and psychopathology have been studied in many countries

Problematic internet use among young and adult population in Bangladesh: Correlates with lifestyle and online activities during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…More specifically, the regression analysis showed that those who used the internet for greater amounts of time was not associated with PIU (as has been found in prior Bangladeshi studies [e.g., Hassan et al, 2020 , Mamun et al, 2019 , Mamun et al, 2019 ] and elsewhere globally) but with specific types of online activity (i.e., online gaming, social media use) in the present study, and as found in a previous Bangladeshi study ( Mamun et al, 2020 ). These activities are likely to have been even more prevalent during lockdown and quarantine ( Király et al, 2020 ).…”

“…The present study found that the level of PIU was higher among individuals from a nuclear family than individuals from an extended family, although those from a nuclear family are more likely to be lonely than those living in the joint/extended family ( Antognoli-Toland, 2001 ), and according to a study in Bangladesh ( Mamun et al, 2020 ) and previous meta-analysis, loneliness is associated with PIU and internet addiction ( Tokunaga, 2017 ). In addition, the present study found that unmarried (single) individuals were more likely to experience PIU compared to those who were married.…”

Prevalence and risk factors of COVID-19 suicidal behavior in Bangladeshi population: are healthcare professionals at greater risk?

“…The present study reports that having no or broken marital status is highly associated with suicidality. This may be due to excessive loneliness leading them to technological addiction that directly or indirectly vulnerate them to be suffered from common psychiatric issues ( Mamun et al., 2020f ). Besides, it is established that the married people have less suicidal tendency compared to the divorced (i.e., due to increased social negligence, financial stress, reduced self-esteem, loneliness etc.)…”

<p>The Role of Self-Esteem in the Relationship Between Loneliness and Life Satisfaction in Late Adulthood: Evidence from Poland</p>

“…With respect to the relationship between loneliness and self-esteem, the literature provides some theoretical grounds for this association. 60 For instance, according to sociometer theory, 61 people who do not feel like they are part of supportive groups and caring relationships, in other words have sense of isolation or interpersonal rejection, tend to display lower self-esteem. Viewed in this way, self-esteem is an inner and personal indicator that represents the evaluation of one's relational value to other people.…”