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The Relationships between Gender, Life Satisfaction, Loneliness and Problematic Internet Use during COVID-19: Does the Lockdown Matter?

Author

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  • Jensen Deutrom

    (Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth BH12 5BB, UK)

  • Vasilis Katos

    (Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth BH12 5BB, UK)

  • Mohamed Basel Al-Mourad

    (College of Technological Innovation, Zayed University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

  • Raian Ali

    (College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar)

Abstract

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many governments have attempted to reduce virus transmission by implementing lockdown procedures, leading to increased social isolation and a new reliance on technology and the internet for work and social communication. We examined people’s experiences working from home in the UK to identify risk factors of problematic internet use during the first lockdown period, specifically looking at life satisfaction, loneliness, and gender. A total of 299 adults completed the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire-Short-Form-6, UCLA-3 Item Loneliness Scale, and Satisfaction with Life Scale online. Through structural equation modelling, we found that loneliness positively predicted problematic internet use while gender had no effect. Life satisfaction and age positively predicted loneliness but had no direct effect on problematic internet use, suggesting loneliness fully mediated their relationship with problematic internet use. Our study serves as a benchmark study of problematic internet use among those working from home during lockdown conditions, which may be utilized by future researchers exploring longitudinal patterns post-pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Jensen Deutrom & Vasilis Katos & Mohamed Basel Al-Mourad & Raian Ali, 2022. "The Relationships between Gender, Life Satisfaction, Loneliness and Problematic Internet Use during COVID-19: Does the Lockdown Matter?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1325-:d:733172
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Olatz Lopez-Fernandez & Daria J. Kuss, 2020. "Preventing Harmful Internet Use-Related Addiction Problems in Europe: A Literature Review and Policy Options," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-20, May.
    2. Ângela Leite & Ana Ramires & Susana Amorim & Hélder Fernando Pedrosa e Sousa & Diogo Guedes Vidal & Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis, 2020. "Psychopathological Symptoms and Loneliness in Adult Internet Users: A Contemporary Public Health Concern," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-17, January.
    3. Katarzyna Tomaszek & Agnieszka Muchacka-Cymerman, 2019. "Sex Differences in the Relationship between Student School Burnout and Problematic Internet Use among Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-14, October.
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    1. Laura Orsolini & Giulio Longo & Umberto Volpe, 2023. "The Mediatory Role of the Boredom and Loneliness Dimensions in the Development of Problematic Internet Use," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-15, March.
    2. Mary Chidiac & Christopher Ross & Hannah R. Marston & Shannon Freeman, 2022. "Age and Gender Perspectives on Social Media and Technology Practices during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-14, October.
    3. Ewa Kupcewicz & Marzena Mikla & Helena Kadučáková & Elżbieta Grochans, 2022. "Loneliness and Satisfaction with Life among Nursing Students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-16, March.

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