Internet addiction and its relationship with emotional and social feeling of loneliness university students: A cluster analytic approachng of loneliness

Problematic computer use is a growing social issue which is being debated worldwide. This study examined the prevalence of internet addition among Tabriz university students and its relationship with emotional and social feeling of loneliness.

372 students of Tabriz University (200 male students and 172 female students) were selected by multi-stage random cluster sampling. For gathering data, of Young internet addiction test (1998), loneliness questionnaire Woodworth (1986) emotional and social loneliness Russell questionnaire (1996) were utilized.

Data were analyzed by cluster analysis and MANOVA. The results of cluster analysis showed three clusters with mind (M= 21.6), moderate (M= 36.8) and severe (M= 47.8) degrees of internet addition. Also significant differences among 3 profiles were found in emotional loneliness [F (130/5, P≤ 0/001] and social isolation [F (123.45, P≤ 0/001].

Given the rising percentage of students suffer from Internet addiction and emotional-social isolation, it is therefore necessary to consider the phenomenon of Internet addiction as a psychological problem by cultural and educational planners and the family system. In order to prevent this phenomenon, it is necessary to provide the necessary knowledge at the community level about signs and symptoms of addiction to the Internet.