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Commuting, Life-Satisfaction and Internet Addiction

Author

Listed:
  • Bernd Lachmann

    (Molecular Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Helmholtzstrasse 8/1, 89081 Ulm, Germany)

  • Rayna Sariyska

    (Molecular Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Helmholtzstrasse 8/1, 89081 Ulm, Germany)

  • Christopher Kannen

    (Department of Informatics, University of Bonn, 53012 Bonn, Germany)

  • Maria Stavrou

    (Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, London SE14 6NW, UK)

  • Christian Montag

    (Molecular Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Helmholtzstrasse 8/1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
    Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation/Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China)

Abstract

The focus of the present work was on the association between commuting (business and private), life satisfaction, stress, and (over-) use of the Internet. Considering that digital devices are omnipresent in buses and trains, no study has yet investigated if commuting contributes to the development of Internet addiction. Overall, N = 5039 participants (N = 3477 females, age M = 26.79, SD = 10.68) took part in an online survey providing information regarding their commuting behavior, Internet addiction, personality, life satisfaction, and stress perception. Our findings are as follows: Personality seems to be less suitable to differentiate between commuter and non-commuter groups, which is possibly due to commuters often not having a choice but simply must accept offered job opportunities at distant locations. Second, the highest levels of satisfaction were found with income and lodging in the group commuting for business purposes. This might be related to the fact that commuting results in higher salaries (hence also better and more expensive housing style) due to having a job in another city which might exceed job opportunities at one’s own living location. Third, within the business-commuters as well as in the private-commuter groups, females had significantly higher levels of stress than males. This association was not present in the non-commuter group. For females, commuting seems to be a higher burden and more stressful than for males, regardless of whether they commute for business or private reasons. Finally, we observed an association between higher stress perception (more negative attitude towards commuting) and Internet addiction. This finding suggests that some commuters try to compensate their perceived stress with increased Internet use.

Suggested Citation

  • Bernd Lachmann & Rayna Sariyska & Christopher Kannen & Maria Stavrou & Christian Montag, 2017. "Commuting, Life-Satisfaction and Internet Addiction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:10:p:1176-:d:114124
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    References listed on IDEAS

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