Relationship Between Technology Usage and Perception of Loneliness Phillip Hau, Sandra Ziolkowski

Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Results
Research question 1. In regards to technology use the mean values for females and males were 119.31 and 119.17 respectively. Because the mean values were virtually identical, indicating no statistically significant difference between gender and technology use, no further statistical analysis was conducted. Also, the mean values for perception of loneliness were 42.31 and 44.57 for females and males, respectively. As a result of similar mean values, no further analysis was conducted for this relationship. Research question 2. Results indicated overall mean levels for perception of loneliness were higher for individuals using the internet because they were bored, or because they were procrastinating. Some gender differences were also observed. On the whole, male students who use the internet more suggest greater loneliness levels (see table 1) Research question 3. Year of study did not influence ones perception of loneliness. Ones living situation on the other hand showed significant findings. The results indicated that t(82) = 1.80, p > 0.05. There is a significant difference for individuals living at home compared to individuals who do not live at home. Individuals who live at home perceive themselves to be less lonely.
Chart 2. Primary Reasons for Using the Internet

Introduction
Technology use is an integral aspect of daily life. As technology advances, society is increasingly becoming more technologically dependent (Friedman, 2005). While technology has made it easier to communicate with people across the world, it has also brought some risks. Problematic internet use, for example, is a phenomenon that has attracted considerable attention over the past decade (Liu & Potenza, 2007). Further, it has been suggested that problematic internet usage may be associated with increased feelings of loneliness (Erdogan, 2008). People who depend on the internet to communicate may experience anxiety when communicating face-to-face (Whang et al., 2003). Problematic internet use is associated with psychosocial disorders such as loneliness (Caplan, 2007; LaRose, Lin & Eastin, 2003). Loneliness, as defined by Wang and colleagues (2011), is a complex set of feelings and cognitions reflecting distress and negative emotions as a result of perceived deficiencies in intimate and social relationships. Feelings of intense loneliness may affect academic outcome, mental health, and ability to adapt to a new environment (Duru, 2008). University students, particularly, those in their first year of undergraduate study, may be at particular risk for extreme loneliness (Oswald & Clark, 2002).

Research Questions
1) 2) 3) Is there a relationship between gender, technology use, attitude towards technology and perception of loneliness? Does using the internet for different reasons influence ones perception of loneliness? Do other factors (i.e.: year of study, or living situation) influences ones perception of loneliness?

Primary Reasons for Using the Internet Response (percentage)

35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

Participants
86 undergraduate psychology students: 43% male (57% female) Age range: 16-25; mean age of 19 years 54% first year students (46% second years and more) 46% live at home (54% other residency) 79% came directly to university from high school Students vary in their field of study

Study Design and Data Analysis

Cross-sectional study consisting of an on-line questionnaire completed on campus in a computer lab Mean level comparisons were used to determine if differences exist T-tests were conducted to determine significance between sample groups

Table 1: Mean levels of loneliness by reasons for online engagement Reasons for using the internet Boredom Education/ Knowledge Entertainment Personal Communication Personal Information Procrastination Grand Total Female loneliness score 43.33 44.25 41.82 39.36 43.00 45.50 42.31 Male loneliness score 56.00 39.00 44.79 46.50 44.50 46.00 44.57 Grand Total 48.40 42.32 43.29 41.88 43.75 45.6 43.25

Measures
UCLA loneliness scale version 3 (Russell, 1996), is a 20-item scale measures ones subjective feelings of loneliness and feelings of social isolation. Participants rate each item on a scale from 1 (Never) to 4 (often). There is high internal consistency with a coefficient alpha of 0.96. Technology affinity scale (Mills, Knezek, & Wakefield,2013), is a 22-item scale designed to measure ones attitude towards technology use. Participants rate each item on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). There is a moderate internal consistency with a coefficient alpha of 0.74. Online cognition scale(Davis, Flett, & Blesser, 2002), is a 36-item questionnaire designed to measure ones problematic internet use. Participants rated each item on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7(strongly agree). There is a high internal consistency with a coefficient alpha of 0.94. An additional questionnaire consisting of demographic information, time spent on particular social media (see chart1) , and reasons for using the internet (see chart 2).
Chart 1. Time Spent on each Social Media per day

Conclusion
In conclusion some variables, such as ones living situation, may be more salient to the individual and thus influences ones loneliness score Perception of loneliness varies with the reasons for online engagement Few students reported spending more than 1 hr/day on various social media

Time Spent on each Social Media per day

Responses (percentages)

100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+ MySpace Pinterest Instagram Reddit Tumblr Youtube Skype theCHIVE Personal Blogs Online Console and Dating Sites Computer Online Gaming Online Discussion Forums Other not applicable 0-30mins 31-60mins greater than 1 hrs greater than 2 hrs greater than 5 hrs

Social Media