Published Paper Details:

The growing reliance on excessive internet usage among young adults has raised concerns about internet addiction and its psychological implications, especially among students residing in hostels. They lack proper supervision, suffer from loneliness, feel homesick and use Internet as a means of negative coping strategy. Emotional Intelligence and Psychological Well-Being acts as a protective barrier against Internet Addiction. This study aims to explore and understand these three variables, i.e., Internet Addiction, Emotional Intelligence and Psychological Well-being among hostel students. It also aims to investigate the gender difference that may exist among the hostel students in the context of these three variables. The data was collected from a sample of 150 hostel students (75 males and 75 females) residing in Varanasi, using Young's Internet Addiction Test, Schutte's Emotional Intelligence Scale and Ryff's Psychological Well-being Scale. The results revealed that males had significantly higher internet addiction levels, while females scored higher in emotional intelligence. However, no significant gender differences were found in psychological well-being. The result also indicated a negative correlation between Internet Addiction and Emotional Intelligence along with Psychological Well-being among hostel students. However, the result also revealed a positive co-relation between Emotional Intelligence and Psychological Well-being among hostel students. This study helps in better understanding of hostel students in the context of these three variables and plan interventions accordingly. This study also provides valuable insights for future studies in similar context.