NORMALIZATION OF LONELINESS: INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTS OF INTENSIVE VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT USE

Authors : Mehtap Tunç Zengin, Cem Sütcü

Pages : 190-207

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Publication Date : 2025-09-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, prolonged lockdowns and restrictive measures pushed individuals to spend more time in virtual environments, prompting a reassessment of perceptions related to loneliness in these spaces. This study examines whether such a shift signifies the normalization of loneliness, particularly through its impulsive and compulsive expressions. Employing quantitative methods, the research investigates the relationship between impulsivity, compulsive internet use, and loneliness, using data collected from 774 university students through three scales. The data were analyzed using reliability tests, factor analysis, normality checks, correlation, and MANCOVA. Findings reveal that virtual environment loneliness varies significantly by gender, field of study, marital status, and employment status. Single students reported higher levels of virtual socialization, while social sciences students and unemployed participants demonstrated higher levels of virtual sharing and trust. Notably, no differences were found based on university location. There is a significant association between impulsivity and compulsive internet use, with attentional impulsiveness negatively correlated with preoccupation, loss of control, and mood modification. Preoccupation affects all dimensions of virtual loneliness, while mood modification impacts only socialization. Motor impulsiveness and physical restlessness influence virtual socialization, and non-planning impulsiveness affects virtual trust. The results underscore the complex interplay between personality traits, digital behavior, and loneliness in the virtual age.
Keywords : COVID-19, Yalnızlık, Virtual Environment

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