Loneliness and Problematic Internet Use during COVID-19 Lock-Down

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• COVID-19 pandemic necessitated widespread lockdowns and quarantine measures globally.
• Previous research explored quarantine's mental health impacts; this study focuses on loneliness and problematic internet use.
• Understanding these effects is crucial for mental well-being during public health crises.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between loneliness and problematic internet use (PIU) during COVID-19 lockdowns.
• To identify factors associated with loneliness and PIU in the Middle East.
• To examine the influence of social and cultural characteristics on mental health outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional survey conducted during a COVID-19 lockdown phase.
• 593 participants from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia completed the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale and Internet Addiction Test.
• Regression and ANOVA analyses were employed to examine associations and dose-response relationships.

Main Results:

• Significant association found between loneliness and problematic internet use (PIU).
• Loneliness correlated positively with hours spent online and frequency of obtaining pandemic news from social media.
• Younger participants and those reporting lower quality social relationships during lockdown experienced greater loneliness.

Conclusions:

• Social characteristics and cultural context significantly influenced loneliness and PIU during COVID-19 lockdowns.
• Findings highlight the complex interplay between social isolation, internet usage, and mental health.
• Interventions addressing loneliness and problematic internet use may be necessary during future public health crises.