Examining the relationships between digital addiction, need for social approval, loneliness and cyberbullying in emerging adulthood

In this study, it is aimed to examine the relationships between digital addiction, need for social approval, loneliness and cyberbullying in emerging adulthood. The research group consists of 456 university students studying at the Faculty of Education of Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University. Research data were collected using Personal Information Form, Digital Addiction Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale, Need for Social Approval Scale, Cyber Victim and Bullying Scale. In this study, the relational screening model was used since inter-variable mediation, direct and indirect regulatory roles were examined. Simple linear and hierarchical regression analyzes and Model 4, Model 8 and Model 14 plugins of SPSS PROCESS macro were used in the analysis of the data. According to the results of the research, it has been seen that loneliness has a positive and statistically significant effect on digital addiction and the need for social approval. It has been observed that the need for social approval has a positive and statistically significant effect on digital addiction, and has a mediating role in the relationship between loneliness and digital addiction. It has been observed that cyberbullying does not have a moderating role in the relationship between loneliness and the need for social approval, and between loneliness and digital addiction. Likewise, it has been seen that cyberbullying does not have a regulatory role in the relationship between the need for social approval and digital addiction. It has been observed that cyber victimization has a moderating role in the relationship between loneliness and the need for social approval, and between digital addiction and the need for social approval, but not in the relationship between loneliness and digital addiction. Keywords: Cyberbullying, Digital addiction, Need for social approval, Lonelines