Background: The aim of study was to assess relationships between
internet addiction, loneliness and adolescents’ quality of life. Methods: The survey was
conducted on a sample of 376 students, mean age 16. Questionnaire contained the Young’s
Internet Addiction Test, the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale and KIDSCREEN-10. Data were
analysed using SPSS and AMOS programs. Findings: Almost 12% of adolescents were identified as
internet addicted, the next 8% as at risk of addiction. 37,8% of young people were moderate
lonely, 2,5% - severe lonely. Partial correlations with age and gender as controlled variables
revealed statistically significant relationships between internet addiction and overall (r =
0,24) and emotional loneliness (r = 0,26), but not social loneliness. Level of loneliness
(overall, emotional and social) was negatively correlated with quality of life (accordingly
-0,39; -0,41; -0,14). Two different models of relationships between analysed variables were
tested, but only model (where loneliness was a mediator between internet addiction and quality
of life) achieved good fit parameters. Discussion: Emotional consequences of internet addiction
are dangerous for adolescents’ quality of life.
