Adult attachment styles, loneliness, gender, age and their relationship to social media addiction

Abstract

The following study aimed to explore the relationship between attachment styles, gender, age and loneliness in relation to social media addiction. Participants (N=99) were required to be above 18 years of age and to currently use social media. Participants were recruited online via social networking sites where a link was posted to the survey. The survey consisted of the measurement of attachment qualities to measure secure, avoidant and ambivalence-worry and ambivalence merger attachment styles, along with UCLA loneliness measure and the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale. The results found there was a significant positive correlation attachment styles and loneliness levels. There was a significant relationship between attachment and social media addiction. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between loneliness and social media addiction. Also, women were statistically significant in social media addiction levels. Finally, age was negatively correlated with loneliness and social media addiction levels.