Exploring the Loneliness and Internet Addiction Level of College Students Based on Demographic Variables

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the loneliness and Internet addiction levels of college students in terms of demographic variables and to determine the variables that predict their Internet addiction level. Data were collected from college students studying at a public university in Turkey. The UCLA Loneliness Scale Version3 and Internet Addiction Test (IAT) were used as the data collection tools. College students were delivered an online survey and at the end 489 college students were voluntarily participated in the study. This survey study employed independent sample t-tests, ANOVA tests, correlation and multiple regression tests for data analysis. The results show that younger participants felt significantly more loneliness than older participants; similarly, students in lower classes felt more alone than those in upper classes. In terms of addiction, it is seen that the frequent use of computers, smartphones and social media increases the Internet addiction level of students. The study suggests a significant correlation between loneliness, Internet addiction, age, and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). Additionally, loneliness and CGPA significantly predict Internet addiction. This study may be important in terms of determining the psychological variables affecting today's increasing technology addiction (internet, smart phone, etc.). Thus, determining the effect of the level of loneliness of young people on internet addiction may be effective in terms of preventing this addiction.

Sex Differences in the Relationship between Student School Burnout and Problematic Internet Use among Adolescents

“…Numerous studies have reported strong connections of school burnout and Internet addiction with depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and stressful life events in adolescents and students [22,23,55,56,57]. Both constructs are also associated with social withdrawal, isolation, and loneliness [24,58,59]. Additionally, risky behaviors and health problems have been linked to school burnout and Internet addiction such as: alcohol and drug abuse, delinquency, and suicide ideation [34,35,60,61,62,63,64].…”

Cognitive behavioral intervention in dealing with Internet addiction among Arab teenagers in Israel

“…An individual with Internet addiction often prefers the online world, or virtual reality, more than face-to-face social experiences (Malinauskas & Malinauskiene, 2019 ). Further, while the Internet provides a platform for dispelling negative emotions, such as loneliness, stress, sadness, or anxiety, those with excessive use end up with increased emotional distress as a result (Erol & Cirak, 2019 ). Internet addicts tend to feel “disconnected from reality” when they are online, which interferes significantly with daily functioning, due to chronic patterns of use and wasted time (Erol & Cirak, 2019 ).…”

“…Further, while the Internet provides a platform for dispelling negative emotions, such as loneliness, stress, sadness, or anxiety, those with excessive use end up with increased emotional distress as a result (Erol & Cirak, 2019 ). Internet addicts tend to feel “disconnected from reality” when they are online, which interferes significantly with daily functioning, due to chronic patterns of use and wasted time (Erol & Cirak, 2019 ). For instance, excessive Internet users tend not to meet deadlines at work and neglect familial and peer relationships.…”

“…Further interference with social functioning was evidenced in a recent study showing that 95% of smartphone owners admitted to being on mobile devices during social gatherings. Notably, individuals with symptoms of Internet addiction show clinically significant signs of distress when they are unable to get online, such as aggressiveness, impulsivity, and pursuit of thrills (Erol & Cirak, 2019 ). Further, a recent study demonstrated that exhibiting excessive Internet use for two years worsened comorbid psychological symptoms or conditions, such as loneliness, depression, hyperactivity, ADHD, stress, social anxiety, and hostility (Erol & Cirak, 2019 ).…”

Transformations Of Personality Structures In Students With Computer Game Addiction

“…It must be acknowledged that, up to now, there are very few studies devoted to the fundamental and psychological foundations of addiction. At the same time, there is already a significant amount of research into neurobiological features of addiction (Zhang, Bai, Jiang, & Zhou, 2019;Baturay & Toker, 2019;Chen, 2019;Erol & Cirak, 2019;Dong & Potenza, 2014). In earlier studies, we assumed that our studies have shown that experience of computer game addiction of students is a process of creating a mental image virtual reality fundamentally transforms addict's psychic reality, which then begins to obey its own internal and independent laws, and these laws cannot be described in the framework of classical approaches to psychology.…”