The association of perceived sociability and social intelligence with loneliness in online learning among nursing students

Abstract

Background: As a result of the decrease in socialization levels in computer-supported collaborative learning settings and/or interactions in social environments during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the adverse influence on the social intelligence development of nursing students could trigger loneliness.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of perceived sociability and social intelligence on loneliness in online learning among nursing students in Turkey.

Design: Descriptive, correlational and predictive study.

Setting and participants: A total of 246 nursing students in the Nursing Department of a state university in the Istanbul province of Turkey were included.

Methods: Data were collected using the Participant Information Form, Sociability Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale-8 (ULS-8) for the Adolescents, and Tromso Social Intelligence Scale (TSIS) between November 2020 and December 2020. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of loneliness. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The total mean Sociability Scale score was 23.54 ± 7.51 (range: 10-46). The total mean TSIS score was 74.15 ± 9.98 (range: 46-105) and the total mean ULS-8 was 13.91 ± 4.98 (range: 7-27). Perceived sociability in online learning (β = -0.321, p < .001), and social intelligence (β = -0.347, p < .001) were significant negative predictors (R² = 0.269, p < .001) of loneliness.

Conclusion: Perceived sociability in online learning and social intelligence was associated with the level of loneliness of this population during online learning.

Keywords: COVID-19; Loneliness; Nursing student; Online learning; Perceived sociability; Social intelligence.