The impact of loneliness on the six dimensions of online disinhibition

Abstract

The literature connecting loneliness and social media use has been variable and, at times, contradictory. Little is known about the impact of loneliness and time spent on social media, or whether one or both of these variables may influence online disinhibition overall or among the six dimensions of online disinhibition. Using the Online Disinhibition Scale, a recently established measure, and the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3), we examined the association between high and low/moderate levels of loneliness and the six dimensions of online disinhibition in a sample of college students (n = 196). A one-way MANOVA was run and three of the six dimensions - Dissociative Anonymity (DA), Invisibility (IN), and Solipsistic introjection (SI) - were significantly associated with higher levels of loneliness. Additionally, we hypothesized that time spent on social media would differ for the dimensions of online disinhibition; a one-way MANOVA was run, and no significant difference was found. Data were collected during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have impacted the results; however, this study adds to the literature on online disinhibition, loneliness, and time spent on social media.

Keywords

• Loneliness
• Online disinhibition effect
• Social media use
• Social media
• Social networking sites