Philippine E-Journals

Loneliness and Perceived Social Support as Predictors of Problematic Internet Use among Adolescents

Ivonne Kristel C. Capili | Lourdes Mariel B. Reyes | Ms. Patricia D,P. Simon

 

Abstract:

The researchers employed purposive sampling as the participants were those who use the internet, not just for academic purposes and work-related purposes, but also for social purposes. A total of 218 respondents participated in this study. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MPSS) by Zimet and colleagues (1998) was one of the instruments used in this study. It is a 12-item questionnaire answered on a 7- point Likert-type scale This scale is used to measure perceptions of social support from three subscales, namely family, friends and significant others. The UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3 was also used and, the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 (GPIUS 2) by Caplanwas used to measure the problematic internet use of the participants. The findings suggest that respondent’s level of loneliness was average, and their perceived social support and problematic internet use were found high. Also, it was indicated that loneliness is a significant predictor of problematic internet use.