Exploring The Relationship Between Mobile Phone Dependence, Depression and Loneliness Among Rural College Students

Background: In the digital era, multipurpose phones have become inevitably to lifestyle, mostly among youths. Whereas these gadgets offer various benefits, their comprehensive use and dependence can adversely affect student’s mental well-being. This present study examines the relationship between mobile phone dependence, depression and loneliness among rural college students. Aim: The present study aims to discover the relationships between mobile phone dependence, depression, and loneliness among rural college students. Methods:183 rural college students (aged 17 to 21) from the rural colleges of Kolhapur district were selected for the study as a sample. The Test of Mobile Phone Dependence (TMD), Mental Depression Scale (MDS), and Loneliness Inventory (LI) were used as a tool to measure mobile phone dependence, depression, and loneliness, respectively. Statistical analysis consists of descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis. Results: The findings from the present research explain a significant positive correlation between measure variables. Where depression (r = 0.762, p < 0.01) and loneliness (r = 0.682, p < 0.01) both are positively correlated with mobile phone dependence. Also, depression (R² = 0.580, F = 250.393, p < 0.01) and loneliness (R² = 0.465, F = 157.552, p < 0.01) both are significantly predicted on the basis of mobile phone dependence. Findings from the research suggest that higher dependence on mobile phone use is correlated with increased depression and loneliness among rural college students. Conclusions: The study asserts that mobile phone dependence, depression and loneliness are positively correlated with each other and mobile phone dependence significantly predicts both depression and loneliness. So, keeping in this view, educational institutions should implement awareness programs and provide psycho-social management resources to help students effectively use mobile phones. Implications: implications are also an important part of the present study, in terms of developing strategic initiatives to address students for mobile phone dependence and its psychological effects. To create supportive environments that promote mental well-being among rural college students, mental health professionals, policymakers and educators must collaborate. Conducting workshops, counselling programs, digital detox initiatives, and mindfulness training to foster healthier mobile phone use habits are the ways to work together.