Relationship between the Use of Mobile-based Social Networks and the State of Social Relations among Nursing Students of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences in 2017

The rapid growth of cutting-edge technologies in the field of electronics and behavioral addiction to it may unconsciously have negative effects on real life. This study aimed to determine the relationship between addiction to mobile-based social networks and the social relations of nursing students. The study was of cross-sectional correlational design, where 273 students from all nursing students were selected by random sampling in the academic year 2017-2018. Data were collected via Social Networks Addiction Standard Questionnaires and the Power of Communication which were competed after confirmation of validity and reliability and obtaining written consent from participants. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 18 software and independent t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient. Participants included 129 (47.3%) female, 144 (52.7%) of male students with the mean (SD) age of 21.7 (2.75) years. 266 (97.4%) of whom used social networks; 256 (93.8%) and 173 (63.4%) used Telegram and Instagram respectively. The total score of virtual network addiction with the mean (SD) of 63 (20.5) negatively correlated with dimensions of addiction to virtual networks including the personal performance with the mean (SD) of 23.8 (8.9); time management 17.1 (6.2); and power of communication 79.8 (13.3), P<0.001. In addition, increasing score of two other dimensions of addiction to virtual networks including self-control with the mean (SD) of 10.5(4.2) and social relations 12.4 (4.1) negatively correlated with the score of power of communication P<0.001. The study showed that increased addiction to social networks decreases students’ communication skills.