Authors: Haley LeFevre, Julie Pynn
Mentors: Julie Pynn
Insitution: Southern Utah University
Loneliness is a perceived isolation resulting from a lack of meaningful social connections. The COVID-19 pandemic increased rates of loneliness for many people, including college students. At the same time, internet use also went up. As loneliness and internet use increased, many people turned to parasocial relationships, forming one-sided emotional connections with online content creators and celebrities. Do students at SUU use parasocial relationships to cope with loneliness? We predict that students at SUU who are experiencing loneliness will be more likely to engage in parasocial relationships. Understanding how people interact with online content and develop relationships with online personalities is essential for promoting digital literacy and positive online behavior as internet usage grows. This research can explain the significance of digital media in students' lives if SUU students are using parasocial relationships to deal with loneliness. In that case, the university can create specialized support programs, workshops, or counseling services to assist students in making more effective coping strategies and minimizing feelings of isolation. Results are forthcoming.