Examination of personality traits, loneliness, and internet addiction among highschool students

In this study, the relationship between internet addiction, loneliness and personality traits of high school students was examined. 382 high school students participated in the study and the differences in internet addiction, loneliness and personality trait scores were examined in terms of sociodemographic variables and internet use. ''Sociodemographic Information Form'' was given to the participants, ''UCLA Loneliness Scale'', ''Young Internet Addiction Scale Short Form'' and ''Personality Traits Scale'' were applied. In the study, independent samples t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to compare internet addiction, personality traits and loneliness scores in terms of sociodemographic variables. In addition, Pearson Correlation analysis was applied to examine the relationship between internet addiction, loneliness and personality traits. According to the results of the correlation analysis, loneliness and internet addiction were found to be positively and significantly related. There was a positive and significant relationship between neuroticism and internet addiction. Extraversion, agreeableness and self-control were found to be negatively and significantly related to Internet addiction. There was a negative and significant relationship between loneliness and extraversion, agreeableness and self-control, and a positive and significant relationship between neuroticism. When the predictors of Internet addiction were examined, it was found that loneliness and neuroticism were predicted positively by loneliness and neuroticism, and self-control and soft-headedness were predicted negatively and significantly. It is thought that the research findings may contribute to future applications in practice and research areas.