Self-esteem, Interpersonal Communication Competence, and Media and Technology Usage as Predictors of Loneliness Among University Students

Abstract

Loneliness is a common concern among university students, as these individuals experience many of the risk factors associated with loneliness. This experience of loneliness tends to lead to numerous consequences such as negative self-evaluations, anxiety, and depression, which in turn lead to impaired concentration and a decline in academic motivation and performance. The overarching aims of this study were to identify the predictor variable(s) or combination of predictor variables, namely self-esteem, interpersonal communication competence, and media and technology usage, that explain a significant percentage of the variance in loneliness amongst undergraduate university students, as well as to investigate whether differences exist in loneliness with regards to gender, ethnicity, and generational status. The sample consisted of 1,191 South African undergraduate university students between the ages of 18 and 30. This study was non-experimental in nature and a correlational research design was used. The results indicated that the combination of the independent (predictor) variables accounted for 51.9% of the variance in the Loneliness scores of the sample. Interpersonal Communication Competence and Self-esteem served as statistically and practically significant individual predictor variables of the students’ loneliness. Male students and first-generation students tend to be lonelier than female students and non-first-generation students, respectively.

Investigating on the Relationship Between Social Media Use and Adolescent Loneliness

“…Many studies have defined loneliness, with a standard definition explaining it as a subjective psychological state in which a person feels lonely when social relationships are less desirable [3]; this suggests that loneliness occurs when there is a discrepancy between people's social relationships and the relationships they psychologically desire [7]. Therefore, loneliness is also considered a unique state in which a person who feels lonely, even amid a crowd, feels subjectively isolated and that existing social relationships do not meet his or her needs [9].…”

“…Time spent on social media may act as a moderator of the age-loneliness relationship. Few studies have included children because of the restrictions on their access to social media [3]. Previous research has not shown a correlation between the usage of social media by youngsters and feelings of loneliness or isolation.…”

“…Concerns have been raised by both families and the wider public over the potential for increased incidences of mental health problems among teenagers who use social media [2]. The majority of teenagers who have had issues with their mental health said that their primary symptoms were feelings of loneliness, despair, and anxiety [3]. According to the findings of a number of research, excessive usage of social media platforms is often both a cause and a result of feelings of isolation [3][4].…”

“…The majority of teenagers who have had issues with their mental health said that their primary symptoms were feelings of loneliness, despair, and anxiety [3]. According to the findings of a number of research, excessive usage of social media platforms is often both a cause and a result of feelings of isolation [3][4].…”

Homeschool internship program for students’ interpersonal communication development: A descriptive study

“…Interpersonal communication skills apply to any condition [2]. A person with less interpersonal communication competence often exhibits lower self-esteem [3,4]. According to Wang et al [5], interpersonal communication can increase social support while creating social harmony.…”