Essence of Locus of Control and Loneliness on Online Flow, Depression, Subjective Happiness and Satisfaction with Life

Abstract

This empirical study demonstrates locus of control and loneliness as important variables predicting online flow experience, depression, subjective happiness and satisfaction with life. Locus of control was categorized into two categories, namely high (external locus of control) and low (internal locus of control). Similarly loneliness was also categorized into high and low loneliness. Data was collected from 342 participants (184 males and 158 females) using a structured questionnaire that contained all the variables of the study. Statistical techniques such as reliability and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) were used to analyze the data. Results revealed significant main effects of locus of control and loneliness on online flow experience, depression, subjective happiness and satisfaction with life. External locus of control and loneliness had a positive effect on online flow experience and depression, and a negative effect on subjective happiness and satisfaction with life. Interaction effects indicated that an individual has high online flow experience and high depression, and low subjective happiness when he/she has external locus of control and suffers from high loneliness. But the interaction effect of locus of control and loneliness on satisfaction with life was insignificant. The limitations, future directions and details of findings of the study have been suitably discussed.