Loneliness, Perceived Social Support, and Psychological Resilience as Predictors of Internet Addiction: A Cross-Sectional Study with a Sample of Turkish Undergraduates

Abstract

Background: This article examined the perceived social support, psychological resilience, and loneliness as predictors of internet addiction among university undergraduate students in Turkey. Methods: Participants were 1028 university students (408 males and 620 females) from state university in Turkey. Measuring tools included the Descriptive Information Form, Internet Addiction Scale, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale, and Brief Resilience Scale. Results: According to the findings of the study, positive correlation between internet addiction and perceived social support (r = 0.078, P <.01) and loneliness (r = 0.525, P <.001) shows a significant relationship. There was a significant and inverse relationship between psychological resilience and internet addiction (r = -0.498, P <.001). It was found that perceived social support, loneliness, and psychological resilience explained 34% of the total variance in internet addiction. Regression analysis showed that perceived social support (beta = 0.061, P <.01), loneliness (beta = 0.574, P <.001), and psychological resilience (beta = -1.128 P <.001) significantly predicted internet addiction. Regression analysis revealed that psychological resilience negatively predicted internet addiction, while perceived social support and loneliness positively predicted internet addiction. Conclusion: Based on the findings, improving students' psychological resilience can be an effective way to reduce internet addiction behavior. Additionally, social activities and relevant measures should be planned to increase students' awareness of internet addiction, reduce their feelings of loneliness, and encourage them to establish positive interpersonal relationships.