Abstract
Internet usage has surged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic's lockdown and isolation, resulting in an increase in online purchasing. University students, in particular, were found to have displayed changes in purchasing behaviors. Despite society becoming increasingly technologically connected, levels of loneliness and boredom have changed as well. This study examined the relationship of loneliness and boredom on purchasing behaviors among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. UCLA Version 3 was used to assess loneliness, MSBS was used to measure boredom, and an adapted validated questionnaire was used to assess purchasing behavior. The questionnaires were completed by 182 students who were considered frequent purchasers. The results showed that university students have high levels of loneliness. They also scored the most in the disengagement subscale in the boredom scale. With the use of Pearson Correlation analysis, the study's result revealed a significant positive relationship between loneliness and purchasing behaviors. It was also discovered that boredom and purchasing behaviors had a significant positive relationship. In other words, students who expressed a higher level of boredom and loneliness engage more in purchasing behaviors. Loneliness and boredom were also discovered to have significant positive relationship. Students with higher levels of loneliness also tend to have higher levels of boredom. Furthermore, this research found gender disparities in these constructs. Females are more likely than males to engage in purchasing behaviors. Females were also discovered to have higher boredom levels than guys. And finally, there was no difference in the level of loneliness experienced by males and females.
