Analysis of the Relationship between University Students’ Problematic Internet Use and Loneliness

Year 2018, Volume: 5 Issue: 2, 223 - 234, 19.05.2018

Mustafa Tevfik Hebebci , Mack Shelley

https://doi.org/10.21449/ijate.402690

Cited By: 9

Abstract

The computer is part of the information and communication age, and the Internet today is the most used communication tool. Studies have shown that there is a relationship between problematic Internet use and loneliness. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between problematic Internet use sub-scales and loneliness. In this study, data were collected from the college students at an Anatolian University in Turkey. The participants of this study consisted of 392 undergraduates. Of the participants, 43% are male (n = 167) and 57% female (n = 225). The average age for the participants is 22 years old. The Problematic Internet Use Scale and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale were used as data collection instruments. In the present study, structural equation modeling (SEM) procedures are used to explore the relationships that exist among the variables. The findings of the study revealed that while university students’ social benefit/social comfort of Internet has a direct effect on their excessive Internet use and negative consequences, it is related to the loneliness level indirectly. In addition, it is seen in the research model that with an increase in the negative consequences of the Internet, the loneliness level was raised. Another result from the study is that when university students’ excessive Internet use increased, their loneliness level decreased.

Keywords

Problematic internet use, loneliness, structural equation modeling

Analysis of the Relationship between University Students’ Problematic Internet Use and Loneliness

Abstract

The
computer is part of the information and communication age, and the Internet today
is the most used communication tool. Studies have shown that there is a relationship
between problematic Internet use and loneliness. The aim of this study was to investigate
the relationship between problematic Internet use sub-scales and loneliness. In
this study, data were collected from the college students at an Anatolian University
in Turkey. The participants of this study consisted of 392 undergraduates. Of the
participants, 43% are male (n = 167) and 57% female (n = 225). The average age for
the participants is 22 years old. The Problematic Internet Use Scale and the University
of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale were used as data collection
instruments. In the present study, structural equation modeling (SEM) procedures
are used to explore the relationships that exist among the variables.  The findings of the study revealed that while
university students’ social benefit/social comfort of Internet has a direct effect
on their excessive Internet use and negative consequences, it is related to the
loneliness level indirectly. In addition, it is seen in the research model that
with an increase in the negative consequences of the Internet, the loneliness level
was raised. Another result from the study is that when university students’ excessive
Internet use increased, their loneliness level decreased.

Keywords

Problematic internet use, loneliness, structural equation modeling

References

• Akar, F. (2015). Purposes, causes and consequences of excessive internet use among Turkish adolescents. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 60, 35-56. Doi: 10.14689/ejer.2015.60.3
• Aktürk, A. O., Emlek, B., & Çelik, İ. (2017). Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Facebook Bağlanma Stratejilerinin ve Yaşam Doyumlarının İncelenmesi. Mersin University Journal of the Faculty of Education, 13(2). Doi:10.17860/mersinefd.336739
• Ang, R. P., Chong, W. H., Chye, S., & Huan, V. S. (2012). Loneliness and generalized problematic Internet use: Parents’ perceived knowledge of adolescents’ online activities as a moderator. Computers in Human Behavior, 28(4), 1342-1347. Doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2012.02.019
• Batigun, A. D., & Hasta, D. (2010). İnternet bağımlılığı: Yalnızlık ve kişilerarası ilişki tarzları açısından bir değerlendirme. Anadolu Psikiyatri Dergisi, 11(3), 213-219.
• Bonetti, L., Campbell, M. A., & Gilmore, L. (2010). The relationship of loneliness and social anxiety with children's and adolescents' online communication. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 13(3), 279-285. Doi: 10.1089/cyber.2009.0215
• Boz, B. & Adnan, M. (2017). How do freshman engineering students reflect an online calculus course? International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology (IJEMST), 5(4), 262-278. DOI:10.18404/ijemst.83046.
• Bozoglan, B., Demirer, V., & Sahin, I. (2014). Problematic Internet use: Functions of use, cognitive absorption, and depression. Computers in Human Behavior, 37, 117-123.
• Can, G. (2004). Kişilik Gelişimi. B. Yeşilyaprak (Ed.) Gelişim ve öğrenme psikolojisi (113-142), Ankara: Pegem A Yayıncılık.
• Caplan, S.E. (2005). A social skill account of problematic internet use. Journal of Communication, 55(4), 721-736. Doi: 10.1111/j.1460-2466.2005.tb03019.x
• Caplan, S.E. (2007). Relations among loneliness, social anxiety, and problematic internet use. CyberPsychology and Behavior, 10, 2, 234-242. Doi: 10.1089/cpb.2006.9963
• Casale, S., Caplan, S. E., & Fioravanti, G. (2016). Positive metacognitions about Internet use: The mediating role in the relationship between emotional dysregulation and problematic use. Addictive Behaviors, 59, 84-88. Doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.03.014
• Çelik, İ. (2012). Öğretmen adaylarının sosyal ağ (Facebook) kullanımlarının incelenmesi. Yayınlanmamış yüksek lisans tezi, Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi, Eğitim Bilimleri Enstitüsü. Konya.
• Celik, I., Sahin, I., & Aydin, M. (2014). Reliability and Validity Study of the Mobile Learning Adoption Scale Developed Based on the Diffusion of Innovations Theory. International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology, 2(4), 300-316. Doi: 10.18404/ijemst.65217
• Ceyhan, A. & Ceyhan, E. (2008). Loneliness, depression, and computer self-efficacy as predictors of problematic internet use. CyberPsychology and Behavior, 11(6), 699–701. Doi: 10.1089/cpb.2007.0255
• Ceyhan, A. (2011). İnternet kullanma temel nedenlerine göre üniversite öğrencilerinin problemli internet kullanımı ve algıladıkları iletişim beceri düzeyleri. Kuram ve Uygulamada Eğitim Bilimleri, 59-77.
• Ceyhan, E. (2010). Problemli internet kullanım düzeyi üzerinde klinik statüsünün, internet kullanım amacının ve cinsiyetin yordayıcılığı. Kuram ve Uygulamada Eğitim Bilimleri, 1323-1355.
• Ceyhan, E., Ceyhan, A. A., & Gürcan, A. (2007). The validity and reliability of the Problematic Internet Usage Scale. Educational Sciences: Theory & Practice, 7(1), 411-416.
• Demir, A. (1989). UCLA yalnızlık ölçeğinin gecerlik ve güvenirliği [Validity and reliability of UCLA loneliness scale]. Psikoloji dergisi, 23, 14–18.
• Demirer, V., Bozoglan, B., & Sahin, I. (2013). Preservice teachers' internet addiction in terms of gender, internet access, loneliness and life satisfaction. International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology, 1(1), 56-63.
• Derbyshire, K. L., Lust, K. A., Schreiber, L. R., Odlaug, B. L., Christenson, G. A., Golden, D. J., & Grant, J. E. (2013). Problematic Internet use and associated risks in a college sample. Comprehensive psychiatry, 54(5), 415-422. Doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2012.11.003
• Engelberg, E., & Sjöberg, L. (2004). Internet use, social skills, and adjustment. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 7(1), 41-47. Doi: 10.1089/109493104322820101
• Erdogan, N. (2016). Communities of practice in online learning environments: A sociocultural perspective of science education. International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology, 4(3), 246-257. DOI:10.18404/ijemst.20679.
• Eren, F., Çelik, İ., & Aktürk, A. O. (2014). Ortaokul öğrencilerinin Facabook algısı: bir metafor analizi. Kastamonu Eğitim Dergisi, 22(2), 635-648.
• Esen, E. & Siyez, D. M. (2016). Ergenlerde internet bağımlılığını yordayan psiko-sosyal değişkenlerin incelenmesi. Türk Psikolojik Danışma ve Rehberlik Dergisi, 4(36).
• Hamburger, Y. A. ve Ben-Artzi E. (2003). Loneliness and Internet use. Computers in Human Behavior, 19, 71–80. Doi: 10.1016/S0747-5632(02)00014-6
• Harrington, D. (2008). Confirmatory factor analysis. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
• Hu, L., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling, 6(1), 1-55. Doi: 10.1080/10705519909540118
• Inderbitzen, H. M., Walters, K. S., & Bukowski, A. L. (1997). The role of social anxiety in adolescent peer relations: Differences among sociometric status groups and rejected subgroups. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 26(4), 338-348. Doi: 10.1207/s15374424jccp2604_2
• Joreskog, K. G., & Sörbom, D. (1984). LISREL–VI user’s guide (3rd ed.). Mooresville, IN: Scientific Software.
• Karahan, E. & Roehrig, G. (2016). Use of web 2.0 technologies to enhance learning experiences in alternative school settings. International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology, 4(4), 272-283. DOI:10.18404/ijemst.32930.
• Karal, H., & Kokoç, M. (2010). Üniversite öğrencilerinin sosyal ağ siteleri kullanım amaçlarını belirlemeye yönelik bir ölçek geliştirme çalışması. Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education (TURCOMAT), 1(3). Doi: 10.16949/turcomat.85676
• Kesici, S., Sahin, I. & Thompson, A. (2010). Prediction of Preservice Teachers’ Problematic Internet Use by Their Psychological Needs and Internet Use Functions. In D. Gibson & B. Dodge (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2010 (pp. 1471-1478). Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).
• Kline, R. B. (2005). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
• Koc, M., & Ferneding, K. A. (2013). An Ethnographic Inquiry on Internet Cafes within the Context of Turkish Youth Culture. International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology, 1(3).
• Kraut, R., Kiesler, S., Boneva, B., Cummings, J., Helgeson, V., & Crawford, A. (2002). Internet para¬dox revisited. Journal of Social Issues, 58, 49–74. Doi: 10.1111/1540-4560.00248
• Kraut, R., Patterson, M., Lundmark, V., Kiesler, S., Mukophadhyay, T., & Scherlis, W. (1998). Internet paradox: A social technology that reduces social involvement and psychological well-being?. American Psychologist, 53(9), 1017. Doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.53.9.1017
• Kubey, R. W., Lavin, M. J, & Barrows, J. R. (2001). Internet use and collegiate academic performance decrements: Early findings. J Communication, 51:366-382. Doi: 10.1111/j.1460-2466.2001.tb02885.x
• Kurtaran, G. T. (2003). İnternet bağımlılığını yordayan değişkenlerin incelenmesi. Yayınlanmamış Yüksek lisans tezi. Mersin Üniversitesi, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Mersin.
• Lam, L. T., & Wong, E. M. (2015). Stress moderates the relationship between problematic Internet use by parents and problematic Internet use by adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 56(3), 300-306. Doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.10.263
• Li, X., Li, D., & Newman, J. (2013). Parental behavioral and psychological control and problematic Internet use among Chinese adolescents: The mediating role of self-control. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 16(6), 442-447. Doi: 10.1089/cyber.2012.0293
• Li, X., Newman, J., Li, D., & Zhang, H. (2016). Temperament and adolescent problematic Internet use: The mediating role of deviant peer affiliation. Computers in Human Behavior, 60, 342-350. Doi: 0.1016/j.chb.2016.02.075
• Lopez-Fernandez, O., Honrubia-Serrano, M. L., Gibson, W., & Griffiths, M. D. (2014). Problematic Internet use in British adolescents: An exploration of the addictive symptomatology. Computers in Human Behavior, 35, 224-233. Doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2014.02.042
• Mazzoni, E., Baiocco, L., Cannata, D., & Dimas, I. (2016). Is internet the cherry on top or a crutch? Offline social support as moderator of the outcomes of online social support on Problematic Internet Use. Computers in Human Behavior, 56, 369-374. Doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2015.11.032
• Moody, E. J. (2001). Internet use and its relationship to loneliness. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 4(3), 393-401. Doi: 10.1089/109493101300210303
• Morahan-Martin, J. (1999). The relationship between loneliness and Internet use and abuse. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 2(5), 431-439. Doi: 10.1089/cpb.1999.2.431
• Morahan-Martin, J., & Schumacher, P. (2000). Incidence and correlates of pathological Internet use among college students. Computers in human behavior, 16(1), 13-29. Doi: 10.1016/S0747-5632(99)00049-7
• Moreno, M. A., Jelenchick, L. A., & Christakis, D. A. (2013). Problematic internet use among older adolescents: A conceptual framework. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(4), 1879-1887. Doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2013.01.053
• Mossbarger, B. (2008). Is internet addiction addressed in the classroom? A survey of Psychology text books. Computers in Human Behavior, 24, 468–474. Doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2007.02.002
• Odabasioglu, G. Ozturk, O. Genc, Y., & Pektas, O. (2007). On olguluk bir seri ile internet bağımlılığı-klinik görünümleri. Bağımlılık Dergisi, 8, 46-51. Doi: 10.24289/ijsser.279705
• Odaci, H., & Celik, Ç. B. (2013). Who are problematic internet users? An investigation of the correlations between problematic internet use and shyness, loneliness, narcissism, aggression and self-perception. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(6), 2382-2387. Doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2013.05.026
• Odaci, H., & Cikrikci, O. (2014). Problematic internet use in terms of gender, attachment styles and subjective well-being in university students. Computers in Human Behavior, 32, 61-66. Doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2013.11.019 Oktan, V. (2015). Üniversite öğrencilerinde problemli internet kullanimi, yalnizlik ve algilanan sosyal destek. Kastamonu Eğitim Dergisi, 23(1), 281-292.
• Ozcan, N. & Buzlu, S. (2005). Problemli İnternet Kullanımını Belirlemede Yardımcı Bir Araç: “İnternet Bilissel Durum Ölçeği’nin Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Geçerlilik ve Güvenirliği. Bağımlılık Dergisi, 6(1); 19-26.
• Ozgur, H., Demiralay, T., & Demiralay, I. (2014). Exploration of problematic Internet use and loneliness among distance education students. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 15(2), 75-90. Doi: 10.17718/tojde.43009
• Ozturk, E. Ozmen, S. (2011). Öğretmen adaylarının problemli internet kullanım davranışlarının, kişilik tipi, utangaçlık ve demografik değişkenlere göre incelenmesi. Kuram ve Uygulamada Eğitim Bilimleri, 1785-1808.
• Papacharissi, Z., & Rubin, A. M. (2000). Predictors of Internet use. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 44(2), 175-196. Doi: 10.1207/s15506878jobem4402_2
• Pawlak, C. (2002). Correlates of Internet use and addiction in adolescents. Dissertation Abstracts International Section A: Humanities & Social Sciences, 63(5-A), pp. 1727.
• Peris, R., Gimeno, M. A., Pinazo, D., Ortet, G., Carrero, V., Sanchiz, M., & Ibanez, I. (2002). Online chat rooms: Virtual spaces of interaction for socially oriented people. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 5(1), 43-51. Doi: 10.1089/109493102753685872
• Pontes, H. M., Caplan, S. E., & Griffiths, M. D. (2016). Psychometric validation of the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 in a Portuguese sample. Computers in Human Behavior, 63, 823-833. Doi: 0.1016/j.chb.2016.06.015
• Roscoe, B., & Skomski, G. G. (1989). Loneliness among late adolescents. Adolescence, 24(96), 947.
• Rotunda, R. J., Kass, S. J., Sutton, M. A., & Leon, D. T. (2003). Internet use and misuse preliminary findings from a new assessment instrument. Behavior Modification, 27(4), 484-504. Doi: 10.1177/0145445503255600
• Russell, D., Peplau, L. A. & Cutrona, C. E. (1980). The revised UCLA loneliness scale: Concurrent and discriminant validity evidence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 39, 472–480. Doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.39.3.472
• Ryan, T. & Xenos, S. (2011). Who uses Facebook? An investigation into the relationship between the Big Five, shyness, narcissism, loneliness, and Facebook usage. Computers in Human Behavior, 27(5), 1658–1664. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2011.02.004. Doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2011.02.004
• Shaw, L. H., & Gant, L. M. (2002). In defense of the Internet: The relationship between Internet communication and depression, loneliness, self-esteem, and perceived social support. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 5(2), 157-171. Doi: 10.1089/109493102753770552
• Sheeks, M., & Birchmeier, Z. (2007). Shyness, sociability, and the use of computer-mediated communication in relationship development. Cyber Psychology & Behavior, 10(1), 64-70. Doi: 10.1089/cpb.2006.9991
• Sheldon, P. (2008). The relationship between unwillingness-to-communicate and students’ Facebook use. Journal of Media Psychology, 20, 67-75. Doi: 10.1027/1864-1105.20.2.67
• Siciliano, V., Bastiani, L., Mezzasalma, L., Thanki, D., Curzio, O., & Molinaro, S. (2015). Validation of a new Short Problematic Internet Use Test in a nationally representative sample of adolescents. Computers in Human Behavior, 45, 177-184. Doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2014.11.097
• Silverman, T. (1999). The Internet and relational theory. American Psychologist, 54, 780–781. Doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.54.9.780
• Škařupová, K., Ólafsson, K., & Blinka, L. (2015). Excessive internet use and its association with negative experiences: quasi-validation of a short scale in 25 European countries. Computers in Human Behavior, 53, 118-123. Doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2015.06.047
• Spada, M. M. (2014). An overview of problematic Internet use. Addictive behaviors, 39(1), 3-6. Doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.09.007
• Tanriverdi, S. (2012). Ortaöğretim öğrencelerinde internet bağımlılığı ile algılanan sosyal destek arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi. Yayımlanmamış Yüksek Lisans Tezi. Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi, Eğitim Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Van.
• Tokunaga, R. S., & Rains, S. A. (2016). A review and meta-analysis examining conceptual and operational definitions of problematic Internet use. Human Communication Research, 42(2), 165-199. Doi: 10.1111/hcre.12075
• Tutgun, A. (2009). Öğretmen Adaylarının Problemli İnternet Kullanım Düzeylerinin İncelenmesi. Yayımlanmamış Yüksek Lisans Tezi, Marmara Üniversitesi: İstanbul.
• Tutgun, A. (2012). BÖTE bölümü öğrencilerinin internet kullanım özellikleri ve tercihlerinin incelenmesi. Online Academic Journal of Information Technology, 3(6), 27-45. Doi: 10.5824/1309-1581.2012.1.002.x
• Unsal, H., Sahin, I., Celik, I., Akturk, A. O., & Shelley, M. (2012). Relationship between secondary school students’ perceived social support and their self-efficacy in educational Internet use. In EdMedia: World Conference on Educational Media and Technology (pp. 2512-2517). Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).
• Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2007). Preadolescents' and adolescents' online communication and their closeness to friends. Developmental psychology, 43(2), 267. Doi: 10.1037/0012-1649.43.2.267
• Winzelberg, A. (1997). The analysis of an electronic support group for individuals with eating disorders. Computers in Human Behavior, 13(3), 393-407. Doi: 10.1016/S0747-5632(97)00016-2
• Yeh, Y. C., Ko, H. C., Wu, J. Y. W. ve Cheng, C. P. (2008). Gender differences in relationships of actual and virtual social support to internet addiction mediated through depressive symptoms among college students in Taiwan. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 11, 485-487. Doi: 10.1089/cpb.2007.0134
• Yıldız, C., & Bölükbaş, K. (2005). İnternet kafeler, gençlik ve sosyal sapma. Ahmet Tarcan (Edt). İnternet ve toplum Ankara: Anı Yayıncılık.