Netlessphobia based on personality traits in university students

Abstract

Netlessphobia, also known as the fear of being without the Internet, is one of the new and important behavioral disorders of the digital age. The relationship between netlesphobia and similar behavioral disorders and personality traits of individuals has been intensively studied in recent decades. The study aim to determine the relationship between personality traits and nettlesphobia. The crossectional study was completed by 770 university students. The study data were obtained by face-to-face data collection using the Firat Netlessphobia Scale, the Big Five Personality Inventory, an 11-question questionnaire prepared by the researchers, and examining the sociodemographic characteristics and internet usage habits of the participants. Descriptive (number, percentage, mean, standard deviation) analyses, Pearson correlation analysis and hierarchical regression analysis were performed. A statistically significant positive correlation between netlessphobia and neuroticism, and a negative correlation with conscientiousness was found. There was no significant relationship between other personality types and netlessphobia. A negative correlation was determined between neuroticism and other personality types. As a consequence of hierarchical regression analysis, it was observed that neuroticism increased the netlessphobia score while conscientiousness decreased. There was no significant relationship between other personality types and netlessphobia. Social and mental health support programs for students with a high level of neuroticism will also benefit from controlling their nettlessphobia level. The positive effect of neuroticism and the negative effect of conscientiousness with the level of nettlesphobia should be taken into account in social and mental health support programs.

Keywords

• Netlessphobia
• personality traits
• neuroticism
• digital addiction
• conscientiousness

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