ROLE OF PERSONALITY TRAITS AND INTERNET ADDICTION ON INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP QUALITY AMONG UNDERGRADUATES OF UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, NIGERIA

Abstract

Healthy interpersonal relationship helps in healthy functioning. This study examined role of personality traits and internet addiction on interpersonal relationships quality among undergraduates of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. With 250 samples, the study adopted cross-sectional design, Personality Scale, Internet Addiction Test, Relationship Scale Questionnaire, purposive and convenience sampling techniques. Statistics were independent T-test and multiple regressions analysis at p< 0.05. Results showed that personality traits jointly predicted interpersonal relationship quality [R=0.38; R2 =0.17; F (5, 235) = 2.51; p< 0.05], personality traits and internet addiction jointly predicted interpersonal relationship quality [R= 0.42; R2= 0.0.17; F (6,233) =8.15; p< 0.05], and students with low scores in internet addiction reported higher interpersonal relationship quality (Mean= 73.85; SD =13.09) than those with high scores in internet addiction (Mean= 63.46; SD =12.55). Recommendation is for students to reduce their internet addiction habit, so as to improve on quality/healthy relationship.