Loneliness and problematic internet use: testing the role of interpersonal problems and motivation for internet use.

BACKGROUND: A number of factors have been demonstrated to be associated with Problematic Internet Use (PIU); otherwise known as Internet Addiction), which is mostly concerned with psychological problems such as loneliness. This study aimed to examine how and in what way loneliness influenced PIU. METHODS: A self-report measurement on loneliness, the Internet addiction test (IAT) and instruments on interpersonal problems were administered to 318 medical students (57% females); mean age totaled 20.88 years (SD = 1.8). We performed a mediation analysis to evaluate direct effects of loneliness on IAT, as well as indirect effects mediated by interpersonal problems. In addition, motivation for internet use was added to the mediation model and tested whether it acted as the second mediator (serial mediation model) or a moderator (moderated mediation model). RESULTS: After controlling for sex and age, socially inhibited problems exhibited full mediation whereas the remainder showed partial mediation effects, with the exception that intrusive and cold interpersonal problems indicated no mediating role. Negative motivation and motivation for being accepted had mediation effects for all types of interpersonal problems. Motivation for working was found to be a significant mediator and moderator of the most interpersonal problems. Intrusive and cold styles became a mediator only when some motivation variables were added to the model, implying that not only psychological problems should be included when analyzing PIU, but also other variables such motivation for internet use. The percent of variance explained, by IAT score, increased from 13% in the mediation model to 33% by the moderated mediation model, and 43% using the serial mediation model. CONCLUSION: The study suggested the crucial role of loneliness and interpersonal problems on PIU, for which motivation for internet use explained how each interpersonal problem would be associated. This may provide some insight regarding the pathological characteristics of those using the internet as a coping strategy.

Development and validation of a 6-item Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (RULS-6) using Rasch analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The UCLA Loneliness Scale, containing 20 items, is one of the commonly used loneliness scales. Some shorter versions have been developed using factor analysis. The study aimed to shorten the UCLA Loneliness Scale using Rasch and factor analysis methods and test the psychometric properties of the new scale. METHODS: The full sample of the study included 719 respondents, divided into three subsamples (205, 324, and 190 for samples 1-3, respectively). The original, 20-item Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (R-ULS) was shortened using 205 students (sample 1); the shortened scale was then validated for construct and concurrent validity with 324 students (sample 2) and 190 clinical participants (sample 3). Confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis were used for construct validity. Convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity were assessed by exploring the correlation with other psychological measurements. RESULTS: In sample 1, the R-ULS was shortened to a 6-item scale (RULS-6) that fits the Rasch model. The RULS-6 met the criteria of unidimensionality and local independence without differential item functioning due to age and sex, and good targeting the clinical sample. Person Separation Index (PSI) reflected that reliability from the Rasch perspective was acceptable. However, collapsing categories 2 (sometime) and 3 (rarely) may be required in a clinical sample. When tested in samples 2 and 3, the RULS-6 fits the Rasch measurement model. Convergent and discriminant validity were demonstrated with interpersonal problems and attachment scales. As expected, a positive correlation was found between RULS-6 and anxiety, depression subscale, interpersonal difficulties, and somatization subscales denoting concurrent validity. Cronbach's alpha of the RULS-6 was good (.83). CONCLUSION: Using Rasch analysis, the proposed RULS-6 constituted a 70% reduction of the number of original items, yet preserved the psychometric properties in independent samples of students and psychiatric outpatients. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? The UCLA Loneliness Scale is a common instrument used to gauge loneliness levels. The 20-item revised scale (R-ULS) has acceptable psychometric properties but its construct varies. Due to the length of the questionnaire, administration of R-ULS is not always practical. Short versions vary in items and were developed with classic test theory (e.g., factor analysis). Rasch analysis - providing more accuracy based on measurement theory - could be used instead. What does this study add? Using a Rasch analysis approach, a 6-item scale of loneliness (RULS-6) was created. The RULS-6 was tested in student and clinical samples, meeting Rasch measurement model criteria. The RULS-6 showed promising psychometrics to be used in both non-clinical and clinical samples.

Prevalence, associated factors and impact of loneliness and interpersonal problems on internet addiction: A study in Chiang Mai medical students.

INTRODUCTION: Internet addiction is common among medical students, and the prevalence is higher than the general population. Identifying and creating solutions for this problem is important. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and associated factors, particularly loneliness and interpersonal problems among Chiang Mai medical students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 324 first to sixth year medical students, 56.8% comprised females with a mean age of 20.88 (SD 1.8). All completed questionnaires related to the objectives and activities of internet use, the Young Internet Addiction Test, the UCLA loneliness scale, and the Interpersonal Problems Inventory were employed to identify internet addiction. RESULTS: In all, 36.7% of the subjects exhibited internet addiction, mostly at mild level. Amount of time used daily, loneliness and interpersonal problems were strong predictors (beta = 0.441, p < 0.05, beta = 0.219, p < 0.001 and beta = 0.203 p < 0.001, respectively), whereas age and sex were not. All objectives of using internet contributed to the variance of internet addiction score. For internet activities, only non-academic or studying contributed. The final model accounted for 42.8% of total variance of the internet addiction score. CONCLUSION: Even though most addiction was at a mild level, careful strategies should be applied to better understand the situation. Along with a screening for potential internet addiction among medical students, attention should be paid to identifying those who experience loneliness and interpersonal problems, because both are strong predictors that can be improved by a variety of appropriate intervention.

Psychometric properties of a Thai version internet addiction test.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to assess the reliability and validity of a Thai version internet addiction test. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha for the Thai version of the internet addiction test was 0.89. A three-factor model showed the best fit with the data for the whole sample, whereas the hypothesized six-factor model, as well as a unidimensional model of the internet addiction test, failed to demonstrate acceptable fit with the data. Three factors, namely functional impairment, withdrawal symptoms and loss of control, exhibited Cronbach's alphas of 0.81, 0.81, and 0.70, respectively. Item 4, 'to form new relationships with online users', yielded the lowest loading coefficient of all items. Positive correlations between the internet addiction test and UCLA loneliness scores were found. The Thai version of the internet addiction test was considered reliable and valid, and has sufficient unidimensionality to calculate for total score in screening for excessive internet use.