Profiling secondary school students with digital addiction tendencies

Aim: In this study, to reveal the digital addiction profiles characteristics of secondary school students according to their socio-demographic characteristics, digital habits, and the relationships between digital addiction, emotional and behavioural problems, and loneliness were aimed. Material and Method: In the study, the sequential explanatory design which is one of the mixed research methods was used. The sample size of the research was consisted of 1313 students at secondary schools at the city center of Bingöl in the fall semester of 2021-2022. The Digital Addiction Scale for Children, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and the Children's Loneliness Scale were administered to the students. The sample size of the qualitative part of the research was consisted of 17 students and a semi-structured interview form was used. T-test and One-Way Analysis of Variance were applied to determine the differences between the groups. Pearson correlation analysis was applied to test the relationship between variables and linear regression analysis was applied to calculate the effects of dependent variables on independent variables. The qualitative data was analysed with content analysis method. Results: The introverted factors and interpersonal relations sub-dimensions of the Digital Addiction Scale for Children significantly predicted emotional distress, conduct difficulties, hyperactivity and concentration difficulties, interpersonal relations, prosocial behaviors, peer problems, and loneliness. Emotional problems, conduct problems, prosocial behaviors, and peer problems predicted loneliness significantly. According to the qualitative findings, the themes of the methods used by the participants to spend more time with digital tools, strategies for coping with addiction, positive and negative effects of digital addiction, and effects of digital deprivation were reached. Conclusion: As a result, it was seen that the qualitative findings of the research supported the quantitative findings, and the profiles of the students with digital addiction tendency were revealed. Keywords: Addiction, Behavioural Symptoms, Loneliness, Adolescent, Socio Demographic Factors