Is there a relationship between problematic Internet use and attachment styles, self-esteem, and loneliness in medical school students?

Background

Problematic Internet use (PIU) is defined as a person's inability to control his/her Internet that leads to a disruption and a deterioration in fulfilling social, work, and personal responsibilities. PIU is reported to be more common in university students, especially in medical school students, than in the general population. Research has indicated that social media use in the classroom, an anxious attachment style and low self-esteem were associated with PIU in medical school students. This study aims to determine whether PIU is associated with attachment styles, self-esteem, loneliness, and social media use in the classroom, as well as to provide theoretical information about factors associated with PIU among medical students.

Method

Participants were asked to fill out a socio-demographic form, the Addiction Profile Index Internet Addiction Form (APIINT), the Experiences of Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R), the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI), and the UCLA Loneliness Scale.

Results

Participants who scored above the APIINT total score cut-off point were found to have significantly higher rates of social media use, higher UCLA and ECR-R anxiety subscale scores than those who scored below the APIINT total score cut-off point, while CSEI scores were found to be significantly lower compared to participants who scored below the APIINT total score cut-off point. According to the results of a logistical regression analysis, it was observed that social media use in the classroom, anxious attachment style and low self-esteem were associated with PIU.

Conclusion

The results of the study indicate that the use of social media in the classroom, anxious attachment style, and low self-esteem are significant risk factors for PIU.