LONELINESS AND DOOMSCROLLING AMONG YOUNG ADULTS: MEDIATING ROLE OF MIND WANDERING

Abstract

In recent years, problematic digital behaviors (such as excessive social media use) have been identified as a risk factor for loneliness among young adults. The current study evaluated the association between loneliness and doomscrolling among young adults and proposed that the association between these factors may be mediated by mind wandering. The cross-sectional quantitative research design was used and the sample consisted of 154 students from the university (77 male and 77 female) and they were convenience sampled. The UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Doomscrolling Scale, and the Mind Excessively Wandering Scale (MEWS) were used to assess loneliness, doomscrolling and mind wandering, respectively. The results showed statistically significant positive relationships for all three variables. The mediation analysis revealed evidence of full mediation, with a full explanation of the effect of loneliness on doomscrolling through mind wandering. Males also reported significantly higher loneliness and doomscrolling than females, as well. The results provide new empirical evidence for such a cognitive pathway between loneliness and compulsive digital use via attentional dysregulation and have implications for the design of mental health interventions for young adults with loneliness and maladaptive digital engagement.