Abstract

The current study explored the relationships between adolescents' internet use, feelings of school connectedness, social anxiety, and interest in the school's website. Participants were 8th (n = 121) and 11th (n = 71) grade students from a rural upstate New York, middle and high school. Data was collected using the Social Use of the Internet Survey, which was designed to measure participants' internet use, interest in the school's website, feelings of school connectedness and loneliness. No significant mean differences were present between the 8th and 11th grade groups on school connectedness and on interest in the school's website. Multiple regression analysis showed that for both 8th and 11th grade samples, loneliness was a significant negative predictor of school connectedness. School connectedness and school contact via e-mail were significant predictors of school website interest among the 8 n grade sample, while in the 1 1th grade sample, being bullied was a significant predicator of school website interest. The qualitative findings of this study provide the school with valuable information regarding students' interest in using their school website, participants' preferred online activities and opinions of their school website.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Internet--Social aspects; Internet in education; Schools--Social aspects; Computers and children; Web sites

Publication Date

2006

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

School Psychology (MS)

Department, Program, or Center

Department of Psychology (CLA)

Advisor

Jennifer Lukomski

Advisor/Committee Member

Scott P. Merydith

Comments

Physical copy available from RIT's Wallace Library at ZA4201 .M47 2006

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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