Basic Needs, Loneliness and Life Satisfaction As Predictors of Boredom Among University Students

Abstract

This study examined the role of basic needs, loneliness and life satisfaction on boredom among university studentsand differences between the average of students' boredom scores by gender. Research was designed in a correlational survey model. The sample group consisted of 613 (393 female, 220 male) university students who studied in the second semester of the 2017-2018 academic year of Mugla Sitki Kocman University. Multiple Linear Regression Analysis and independent samples t-test was used for data analyses. According to the findings, it was determined that the need for power and fun, life satisfaction and loneliness significantly predicts boredom while the need for survival, love & belonging and freedom didn't predict boredom. Finally, male's boredom averages were found significantly higher than those of female's. The results gave researchers, practitioners and theorists a new perspective on boredom. It was seen that basic needs, loneliness and life satisfaction played an important role in boredom. Therefore, efforts should be made to meet the basic needs of university students, especially entertainment and power needs, to increase their life satisfaction and to reduce their loneliness in intervention studies to prevent boredom. In this regard, suggestions have been made for practitioners and researchers.