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A Comparison of the Loneliness Levels of Turkish University Students in Terms of Internet Use

Received: 23 May 2013    Accepted:     Published: 30 June 2013
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Abstract

The objective of this research was to compare the loneliness levels of Turkish university students in terms of Internet use. This was a descriptive and comparative study involving a total of 525 students in Izmir, 258 female and 267 male, who participated voluntarily. The instruments were the personal information form and the UCLA loneliness scale, and a t-test was use to compare the data. The results revealed that loneliness points were significantly higher for students who preferred the Internet rather than being with friends (t519 = 6. 013, p = .001 and those who preferred social chats online rather than their actual friends (t519= 5. 666, p = .001). The loneliness level was higher for those who cannot postpone their Internet use (t520 = 1.704, p = .089) and those who could not give up Internet use (t521 = .126, p = .900); however, a significant relationship was not found. This study reiterates the importance of Internet use or online computer hours for students, and the importance of media literacy training. To cope with loneliness, students need to bond with their peers, establish more fulfilling relationships, and develop their social skills. Schools on should place importance social skills training, effective communication skills, and art and cultural activities. It is essential to have some strategies to prevent Internet addiction.

Published in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences (Volume 2, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.pbs.20130203.15
Page(s) 112-116
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

University Student, Internet Use, Loneliness

References
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[2] Toruk I. An Analysis of the Media Usage Habits of the University Students. Selçuk University, Journal of Institute of Social Sciences 2008; 19: 475-488.
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[12] Perlman D, Peplau LA. (1984) Loneliness research: a survey of empirical findings. In LA Peplau & S Goldston eds. Preventing the Harmful Consequences of Severe and Persistent Loneliness. U.S. Government Printing Office, DDH Publication No. (ADM) 84-1312. pp. 13-46.
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[20] Çağır G, Gürgan U. The relationship Between the Levels of High School and University Students’ Problematic Use of Internet and Their Perceived Wellness and Loneliness Levels. Balıkesir University, Journal of Institute of Social Sciences, 2010, 13(24): 70-85
[21] Özen Ü, Sarıcı Korukcu MB. Being Lonely and the Effect of Virtual Chat on Sharing of Loneliness: A Study on the University Students. Atatürk University, Journal of Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences 2010; 24(1):149-159.
[22] Stepanikova I, Nie NH, He X. Time on the Internet at Home, Loneliness, and Life Satisfaction: Evidence from Panel Time-Diary Data. Computers in Human Behavior 2010; 26: 329–338 DOI:10.1016/j.chb.2009.11.002.
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  • APA Style

    Şuheda ÖZBEN. (2013). A Comparison of the Loneliness Levels of Turkish University Students in Terms of Internet Use. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, 2(3), 112-116. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20130203.15

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    ACS Style

    Şuheda ÖZBEN. A Comparison of the Loneliness Levels of Turkish University Students in Terms of Internet Use. Psychol. Behav. Sci. 2013, 2(3), 112-116. doi: 10.11648/j.pbs.20130203.15

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    AMA Style

    Şuheda ÖZBEN. A Comparison of the Loneliness Levels of Turkish University Students in Terms of Internet Use. Psychol Behav Sci. 2013;2(3):112-116. doi: 10.11648/j.pbs.20130203.15

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  • @article{10.11648/j.pbs.20130203.15,
      author = {Şuheda ÖZBEN},
      title = {A Comparison of the Loneliness Levels of Turkish University Students in Terms of Internet Use},
      journal = {Psychology and Behavioral Sciences},
      volume = {2},
      number = {3},
      pages = {112-116},
      doi = {10.11648/j.pbs.20130203.15},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20130203.15},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.pbs.20130203.15},
      abstract = {The objective of this research was to compare the loneliness levels of Turkish university students in terms of Internet use. This was a descriptive and comparative study involving a total of 525 students in Izmir, 258 female and 267 male, who participated voluntarily. The instruments were the personal information form and the UCLA loneliness scale, and a t-test was use to compare the data. The results revealed that loneliness points were significantly higher for students who preferred the Internet rather than being with friends (t519 = 6. 013, p = .001 and those who preferred social chats online rather than their actual friends (t519= 5. 666, p = .001).  The loneliness level was higher for those who cannot postpone their Internet use (t520 = 1.704, p = .089) and those who could not give up Internet use (t521 = .126, p = .900); however, a significant relationship was not found. This study reiterates the importance of Internet use or online computer hours for students, and the importance of media literacy training. To cope with loneliness, students need to bond with their peers, establish more fulfilling relationships, and develop their social skills. Schools on should place importance social skills training, effective communication skills, and art and cultural activities. It is essential to have some strategies to prevent Internet addiction.},
     year = {2013}
    }
    

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    AU  - Şuheda ÖZBEN
    Y1  - 2013/06/30
    PY  - 2013
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    T2  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
    JF  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
    JO  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
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    AB  - The objective of this research was to compare the loneliness levels of Turkish university students in terms of Internet use. This was a descriptive and comparative study involving a total of 525 students in Izmir, 258 female and 267 male, who participated voluntarily. The instruments were the personal information form and the UCLA loneliness scale, and a t-test was use to compare the data. The results revealed that loneliness points were significantly higher for students who preferred the Internet rather than being with friends (t519 = 6. 013, p = .001 and those who preferred social chats online rather than their actual friends (t519= 5. 666, p = .001).  The loneliness level was higher for those who cannot postpone their Internet use (t520 = 1.704, p = .089) and those who could not give up Internet use (t521 = .126, p = .900); however, a significant relationship was not found. This study reiterates the importance of Internet use or online computer hours for students, and the importance of media literacy training. To cope with loneliness, students need to bond with their peers, establish more fulfilling relationships, and develop their social skills. Schools on should place importance social skills training, effective communication skills, and art and cultural activities. It is essential to have some strategies to prevent Internet addiction.
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