Participants were selected for this research Design
through the process of random selection from a This study was done to analyze the connection target audience. Total numbers of 100 of depression with internet usage. The participants were selected for this research participants were randomly selected irrespective of their gender, race, ethnicity and irrespective of any gender, race, ethnicity and religion. The participants selected for this religion. The interviews of the participants research included people from all walks of life. were conducted to measure the four variables: Students from universities, High Schools and Loneliness, Depression, Self-esteem, Social Middle Schools were selected. Adults (age support and Insomnia. The variables were ranging from 25 to 65) were selected. Most of measured as they manipulate the independent the adults were employed and some of them variable which is the “The Internet Usage”. were unemployed or weren't interested in The participants were provided with unlimited pursuing employment. Senior citizens were also internet connection and no restrictions were part of this research. We've also included people imposed on their usage of computers. The with disabilities, special needs, transgender and participant’s internet activity was monitored people from the LGBTQ community to for a period of three months. diversify our research. In the selection of the participants it was established that the Measures participants had access to internet and computer Depression was measured using the Center system in their homes and offices. According to for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and (CES-D). The scale consists of 20 items Code of Conduct 2017 provided by the relating to mood and behavior (e.g., “I was American Psychological Association (APA) bothered by things that usually don’t bother the participants were informed about the me,” “I felt hopeful about the future,” “I research and its process. All queries of the talked less than usual”). Subjects rate each participants regarding the research were five-point scale (1 = Not at all characteristic of answered. Consent of the participants was taken me; 5 = Very much characteristic of me). before the start of the research and no part of the research was kept hidden from the participants. Loneliness was measured using the UCLA Permission was taken from the participants to Loneliness Scale. The 20 item scale was used monitor their internet activities for collecting to measure one’s personal feelings of data regarding the research. It was made sure loneliness and social isolation. Participants that the data collected from the participant’s rate each item as O (“I often feel this way”), S internet activities will only be used for research (“I sometimes feel this way”), R (“I rarely feel purposes and privacy of any participant will not this way”), and N (“I never feel this way”). be at risk. Self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg RESULT Self-Esteem Scale, which is a 10 item scale According to the conducted statistical analysis focusing on both positive and negative feelings of the data obtained from the research it was of a person (e.g., “I feel that I have a number of observed that several features that correlated good qualities,” “ I feel I do not have much to depression with increased internet usage. be proud of”). Subjects rate each five point scale From the research we found out that people (1 = strongly disagree; 5 = strongly agree). who scored high on the Depression and Loneliness scale and low on Social Support Social Support was measured using the Social scale used the internet emphatically. In other Support Questionnaire. It is a 27-item words, we found a trend: in general, the more questionnaire designed to measure subject’s a participant’s score on the survey indicated approach of social support and satisfaction with depression, the more his or her internet usage social support. Each item is a question that was. 20% of the 100 participants were solicits a two-part answer: Part 1 asks university and school going students who used participants to list all the people that fit the the internet tremendously even though they description of the question, and Part 2 asks weren't suffering from any psychological participants to indicate how satisfied they are, in disorders. The reason conferred from this is general, with the people mentioned in the first the students nowadays have access to part of the questionnaire. advanced technology and more leisure time as compared to adults that’s why the students use Insomnia was measured using the Sleep Quality the internet more. We conclude that the Scale (SQS). It is a questionnaire which requires students who are using the internet about 5 to 10 minutes to be solved and the excessively will likely develop depression and participants indicate how frequently they exhibit other psychiatric disorders, the students will Certain sleep behaviors (0 = “few,” 1 = isolate themselves from the outside world just “sometimes,” 2 = “often,” and 3 = “almost to satisfy their urge to be on the internet most always”). Total scores can range from 0 to 84, of the time, continuing this act will make with higher scores demoting more acute sleep students prefer isolation and they will score problems. high on loneliness and insomnia scale. 55% of the 100 participants were adults (age ranging Statistics for this research were measured using from 25 to 65) who used the internet at a the IBM SPSS statistics software and its version much lower rate compared to the students; is 25. The software was used to analyze the adult participants were mostly employed and quantitative data obtained from observation of married or involved in a relationship, by this the research. we confer that the adults compared to the students had less leisure time to be on the internet. The adults’ rate of internet usage was very less REFRENCES than the students and their scores on every scale were very improved compared to the students. There were people who had a good social 1. Rodgers, Dr. Kimberly S. Young and support and high self-esteem spent less time on Robert C. 1998. Internet Addiction: the internet and this quality was found in the Personality traits associated with its adult group of participants in our research who development. Bradford : s.n., 1998. weren’t addicted towards internet and technology but was into mainly face to face interaction with peers. The adults who were 2. Russell, D , Peplau, L. A.. & Ferguson, employed used computer and internet M. L. 1978. 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Center for increased depression and loneliness level forces Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale a person to use the internet excessively or a (CES-D) as a screening instrument for person who starts to use the internet depression among community-residing emphatically will start developing depression older adults. Psychology and Aging, 12(2), and other disorders gradually. In order to pg 277–287. confirm these findings, it would be useful to replicate this research for reliability.