The Relationship Between Nursing Students’ Psychological Well-Being and Virtual Environment Loneliness

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between psychological well-being and virtual environment loneliness of nursing students. This descriptive study was conducted between March and June 2023 at two state universities located in Northern and Eastern Anatolia, Türkiye. The research sample comprised 472 students. Data collection utilized a Personal Information Form, the Psychological Well-Being Scale, and the Virtual Environment Loneliness Scale. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and Bonferroni analyses were employed. A statistically significant moderate negative correlation was identified between students’ psychological well-being and their levels of virtual environment loneliness (p<0.05). The study also found that students experienced moderate levels of virtual environment loneliness. It was determined that as students’ psychological well-being levels increase, they are likely to experience less loneliness in virtual environments. Therefore, in order to increase the psychological well- being levels of male nursing students, reduce their virtual environment loneliness, and ensure that they use social media less, it is recommended to create social activity environments that will increase their face-to-face communication both in the university environment and in social responsibility projects and to encourage and create opportunities for students to participate in these activities.