Loneliness and Predictive Models of Multiple Risk Behavior of Adolescents in the Context of Ecosystem Metatheory and Virtual Internet Space

Abstract

The metatheoretical ecosystem construct requires integrating the virtual dimension of the internet in the assessment of human living space. Objective: The main goal of the present study is to identify possible relationships between loneliness, risk behavior in the use of psychoactive substances of adolescents, based on the ecosystem meta-frame of living space (which also reflects virtual space), as one of the essential factors in the emergence and development of addiction. Based on this, an effort is made to compile predictive models of multiple risk behaviors concerning the use of psychoactive substances. Methods: Loneliness is determined using the OESL questionnaire (Gierveld & Tilburg, 2021). The RSi questionnaire examines risk behavior (Kahan et al., 2021 in press; Lovašová, 2021). Multiple linear regressions construct predictive models, and subcategories are subjected to correlations and parametric tests. At the same time, data on adolescents' loneliness are compared with data on the loneliness of addicted adult respondents and data on abstainers from another research. File: The representative sample consists of 744 respondents in the second and third years of secondary schools in the Slovak Republic, of which 263 are men and 481 women. The research file of addicted respondents consists of 138 respondents (100 men, 38 women), and the research group of abstainers is 94 (58 men, 36 women). Results: Statistically significant gender differences inexperienced social and emotional loneliness are found in adolescents and addicted respondents. For both male and female adolescents, excessive internet use is a significant predictor of psychoactive substance use. The prediction is more robust if, in adolescents, at least one parent suffers or has suffered from some kind of addiction. Conclusions: Aspects of virtual space act as significant risk factors which, together with loneliness, create multiple risk conditions for risk behavior in the field of psychoactive substance use.

Utilising social network analysis skills to meet pediatric palliative care needs in South Africa

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