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

Year 2019, Volume: 10 Issue: 2, 156 - 172, 16.04.2019

Osman Erol Nese Sevim Cirak

https://doi.org/10.30935/cet.554488

Cited By: 1

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.

Keywords

Internet addiction, Loneliness, UCLA loneliness scale, Internet addiction test

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