The Relationship between Loneliness and Emotion Regulation in Predicting Internet Addiction among Men and Women in Yazd, Iran

Hassan Zareei  Mahmoodabadi; Arezoo  Jabin pour; Zahra  Esfahani

doi:10.18502/jsbch.v9i2.20262

Hassan Zareei Mahmoodabadi Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Yazd University,Yazd, Iran
Arezoo Jabin pour In General Psychology, Educational Sciences, Yazd University,Yazd, Iran
Zahra Esfahani In General Psychology, Educational Sciences, Yazd University,Yazd, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jsbch.v9i2.20262

Keywords: Internet addiction, Emotion regulation, Loneliness, Cyberspace

Abstract

Background: Cyberspace is a new form of social interaction that, despite its relatively short history, has successfully become integrated into people’s daily lives. Maladaptive patterns of Internet use and excessive engagement can lead to behavioral addiction and ultimately to internet addiction. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between loneliness and emotion regulation and the tendency toward Internet addiction among men and women in the city of Yazd,Iran.

Methods: The research method was a survey. The population included all men and women in Yazd in 1403, from which 300 people (150 men and 150 women) from different age groups were selected by random sampling. In this way, the link to the online questionnaire (Porsline) was placed on local social networks and popular groups in Yazd and in public places such as parks, universities and cultural centers, for optional completion by individuals. The quality of entry included participating, residing in Yazd, and having a minimum level of literacy. The output included incomplete or invalid responses in the questionnaires. Young's Internet Usefulness, Russell's Loneliness, and Gross's Emotion Regulation questionnaires were administered to the subjects. Then, the data were analyzed using SPSS26 software.

Results: The results of the present study showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between loneliness and relationship (r=0.407, p<0.001). Also, a negative relationship was observed between emotion regulation and Internet use (r=-0.211, p<0.001). These results were felt in both sexes, with the difference that the correlation coefficient was stronger in men (men: r=0.503, p<0.001; women: r=0.307, p<0.001). F=35.802, p<0.001). In this model, loneliness was a positive and significant predictor of Internet use (β=0.389, p<0.001) and emotion regulation was a significant predictor (β=-0.171, p<0.001). In other words, increasing loneliness significantly increased the likelihood of using the Internet, and increasing pressure on other regulation significantly reduced Internet use.

Conclusion: In summary, it can be concluded that loneliness and dysfunctional emotion regulation are good predictors of Internet use tendencies.