Interplay of Loneliness, Impulsivity and Social-media Use among Indian Youth

Abstract

The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between loneliness, social media and impulsivity among Indian youth, while also examining the social media as a mediator between impulsivity and loneliness. The data was collected from a sample of 155 people aged between 18-25, currently residing in Delhi and NCR regions. The data provided significant positive correlations between all three variables. Regression analysis indicated that both impulsivity and loneliness significantly predicted social media use. Mediation analysis further accounted that social media use partially mediated the relationship between impulsivity and loneliness, accounting for 44.3% of the total effect, though the direct effect of impulsivity on loneliness was also confirmed. The findings of the study stipulate that impulsive people are more likely to engage in compulsive social media use and which in turn might exacerbate loneliness. The study highlights the psychological effects of excessive social media use and the significance of regulating impulsive behaviors in loneliness-reduction strategies.