Ethnic Minority Females in Emerging Adulthood: An Evaluation of Problematic Internet Use and Lonelines

To date, there have been no known studies that examine Problematic Internet Use, loneliness, and loneliness as a predictor of Problematic Internet Use among ethnic minority college females. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to examine levels of Problematic Internet Use among ethnic minority college females as well as compare these levels among majority counterparts. The secondary purpose of this study was to examine levels of loneliness among ethnic minority college females and compare these levels to majority members. Lastly, the final purpose was to identify if loneliness would still be a predictor of Problematic Internet Use among ethnic minority college females. To examine levels of Problematic Internet Use, a MANOVA was utilized to identify and compare any significant differences among ethnic minority college females and majority college females, and an ANOVA was used to examine and compare any significant differences of loneliness. Additionally, four linear regressions were then utilized to examine loneliness as a predictor of Problematic Internet Use among ethnic minority college females. The results demonstrated that Asian American and Latina American college females display significantly higher levels of Problematic Internet Use compared to Caucasian Americans. No statistical differences were exhibited regarding levels of loneliness. Also, loneliness was not a predictor of Problematic Internet Use among ethnic minority college females. The results of this study are then discussed to identify potential reasoning for these outcomes.