Compulsive internet use: The role of emotional intelligence and loneliness

Pages: 434-436
Ehsan Sepehripouya (Department of Social Sciences, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Institute of Forensic Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey)
Meenakshi Gokhale (Department of Psychology, Sir Parashurambhau College, Pune, Maharashtra)

Compulsive Internet Use is the uncontrollable use of Internet which causes disturbance in the life of the individual, and is influenced by and related to some psychological characteristics and features. This study aims to understand the predictors of Compulsive Internet Use in young adults, namely Emotional Intelligence and experience of Loneliness among young students. A total of 73 boys and girls with age range 18-25 years, all being college students in Pune city of India, participated in the study, selected using non-probability incidental sampling method. Results show that there are significant negative correlations of Compulsive Internet Use with Emotional Intelligence features of Happiness, Independence, Stress Tolerance, Self-Actualization, Self-Awareness, Reality Testing, Impulse Control, Flexibility, Social Responsibility and Empathy. Also there is significant positive correlation between Compulsive Internet Use and Loneliness. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the only two features of Emotional Intelligence – Social Responsibility and Stress Tolerance – are significant predictors of Compulsive Internet Use.