Investigating the Role of Social Anxiety and Feeling of Perceived Loneliness in Predicting Facebook Addiction Among Students of Bamyan University- Afghanistan
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Abstract
Online social networks have changed into the most known tool of social communication in recent years, and studies have shown that excessive use and especially addiction to it can have destructive effects on people's social and professional life. This research was conducted to investigate the role of social anxiety and feeling of perceived loneliness in predicting Facebook addiction among Bayman University students due to a lack of prior studies in identifying and introducing psychological factors predicting addiction to online social networks, especially Facebook. About 360 students were selected among online social networks (Facebook) in 2024 as a correlational design using cluster sampling method and were evaluated using the short form of social-emotional loneliness scale for adults, and social anxiety. Data was analyzed by stepwise multiple regression analysis. The results showed a significant relationship between the feeling of perceived loneliness, social anxiety, and Facebook addiction. In total, physiological signs, feeling of social loneliness, social avoidance, and social anxiety were identified as the best predictors of addiction to online social networks. According to this research, the study concludes that feeling of perceived loneliness and social anxiety can predict Facebook addiction.
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