Project – The Influence of Digital Relationship Platforms on Emotional Dependency Among Undergraduate Students of Kwara State University, Malete.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

TITLE: THE INFLUENCE OF DIGITAL RELATIONSHIP PLATFORMS ON EMOTIONAL DEPENDENCY AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF KWARA STATE UNIVERSITY, MALETE

1.1 Background to the Study

The advancement of digital technology has significantly transformed the way individuals communicate, establish relationships and maintain emotional connections with one another. In contemporary society, the development of social networking sites, instant messaging applications and online dating platforms has created new opportunities for people to interact, express emotions and develop personal relationships without necessarily having physical contact. Digital relationship platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and online dating applications have become important channels through which individuals communicate with friends, romantic partners and other social contacts. These platforms provide opportunities for continuous interaction through text messages, voice calls, video calls, pictures, status updates and other forms of digital communication. Although these technologies have improved communication and made relationships easier to maintain across geographical distances, they have also introduced new emotional and psychological experiences that may influence individuals’ behaviour and interpersonal relationships. According to the Pew Research Center (2023), digital communication and social media have become significant features of young people’s social experiences, influencing how they interact, communicate and maintain relationships. Consequently, the increasing integration of digital relationship platforms into everyday life has created the need to examine their possible influence on emotional dependency, particularly among young adults in tertiary institutions.

Digital relationship platforms refer to internet-based applications and communication technologies that enable individuals to establish, develop and maintain social, romantic and emotional relationships through virtual interactions. Unlike traditional face-to-face relationships, digital relationships can involve frequent communication, immediate responses, continuous online presence and access to another person’s activities through digital platforms. These features may create expectations of constant availability, regular communication and emotional reassurance between individuals. For instance, undergraduate students may depend on WhatsApp messages, Instagram interactions, Snapchat updates and other online communication activities to maintain connections with their friends or romantic partners. While such interactions can strengthen social bonds and provide emotional support, excessive reliance on digital communication may gradually encourage individuals to seek constant attention, validation and reassurance from others through online platforms. Lapierre and Custer (2021) examined smartphone engagement, romantic partner communication and relationship satisfaction among young adults and established that smartphone engagement was associated with changes in communication between romantic partners. Their findings demonstrate that digital devices have become important components of modern interpersonal relationships and that the nature of smartphone engagement can influence relationship experiences.

Emotional dependency is a psychological and interpersonal condition in which an individual excessively relies on another person for emotional satisfaction, reassurance, affection, acceptance and a sense of personal security. It occurs when a person’s emotional stability and sense of wellbeing become strongly connected to the attention, approval and availability of another individual. In the context of digital relationships, emotional dependency may be expressed through excessive concern about delayed responses to messages, constant checking of a partner’s online status, anxiety when communication is interrupted, fear of being ignored and persistent demands for emotional reassurance. Individuals experiencing such dependency may find it difficult to concentrate on their personal responsibilities because their emotional attention is continuously directed towards maintaining online communication with another person. Gritti, Bornstein and Barbot (2023) examined the relationship between interpersonal dependency, attachment patterns and maladaptive smartphone and social networking use. Their findings indicated that anxious attachment and destructive interpersonal overdependence could increase the risk of maladaptive smartphone use. This suggests that the emotional relationships individuals develop with others may influence how they engage with digital communication technologies and the extent to which they depend on them for emotional satisfaction.

Furthermore, undergraduate students represent an important population for examining the influence of digital relationship platforms on emotional dependency because university life involves significant social, emotional and psychological adjustments. Students in tertiary institutions often experience new friendships, romantic relationships, peer pressure, academic responsibilities and the need to establish personal identities. During this period, many students rely on digital platforms to maintain relationships, communicate their feelings, seek advice and receive emotional support from friends and romantic partners. However, when online communication becomes the primary source of emotional satisfaction, some students may develop excessive attachment to digital interactions and become uncomfortable when their expected communication patterns are disrupted. The situation may be intensified by features such as instant messaging, read receipts, online indicators, notifications and social media activity updates, which make it possible for individuals to monitor the communication behaviour of others. Anyaegbunam and Nwafor (2023), in their study of loneliness, happiness and interpersonal dependency as correlates of problematic social networking site use among 356 Nigerian undergraduates, found a significant positive relationship between problematic social networking use and interpersonal dependency (r = .32, p < .01). Their findings provide relevant Nigerian evidence that problematic engagement with social networking platforms may be associated with increased interpersonal and emotional reliance among undergraduate students.

The influence of digital relationship platforms on emotional dependency can also be understood through the psychological experiences associated with online communication and romantic relationships. Social networking applications allow individuals to communicate frequently, share personal experiences, express affection and receive immediate feedback from their partners. However, these platforms may also encourage jealousy, insecurity, excessive monitoring and emotional dissatisfaction when individuals interpret online activities as indicators of affection, commitment or rejection. For example, a student may become emotionally disturbed when a romantic partner reads a message without responding, interacts with other individuals on social media or fails to acknowledge a social media post. Such experiences may generate insecurity and increase the desire for constant reassurance. Alade (2017), in a study of Instagram use, Instagram-related conflict and negative relationship outcomes among undergraduates of Redeemer’s University, Osun State, found that active Instagram use influenced Instagram-related conflicts and negative relationship outcomes among young adults in romantic relationships. The study further identified Instagram-related conflict as a mediating factor in the relationship between active Instagram use and negative relationship outcomes. This finding indicates that digital platforms can influence the emotional experiences of young people and the quality of their interpersonal relationships.

In Nigeria, the increasing use of social networking sites and virtual communication tools among university students has made digital relationships an important area of social and psychological investigation. Students use platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and other internet-based applications for academic discussions, entertainment, friendship development, romantic communication and emotional support. Although these platforms offer opportunities for social interaction and relationship development, their excessive use may create challenges relating to emotional attachment, interpersonal dependency and the ability to maintain healthy boundaries in relationships. Anyaegbunam and Nwafor (2023) established that problematic social networking site use was significantly associated with emotional reliance and lack of self-confidence among Nigerian undergraduates. Similarly, Mustapha, Ajokpaniovo and Olaoye (2024), in their study of cyber relational addiction and interpersonal relationships among 420 undergraduates of the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, examined how excessive involvement in cyber relationships relates to students’ interpersonal interactions. Their findings highlighted the need for activities that reduce cyber relational addiction and promote psychological wellbeing among undergraduates. These Nigerian studies provide a basis for examining whether continuous engagement with digital relationship platforms encourages excessive emotional reliance and affects students’ ability to maintain balanced interpersonal relationships.

At Kwara State University, Malete, undergraduate students operate within a social environment where digital communication forms an important part of academic, social and personal interaction. Students use digital relationship platforms to communicate with classmates, friends, romantic partners and other social contacts, irrespective of their physical locations. These platforms enable students to maintain relationships, share personal experiences, express affection and obtain emotional support. Nevertheless, the increasing dependence on digital communication may create situations in which some students become excessively concerned about online attention, message responses, social media interactions and the availability of their friends or romantic partners. Such behaviour may affect their emotional independence, concentration, academic engagement and ability to maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. Although digital platforms provide important social benefits, it is necessary to understand whether their patterns of use contribute to emotional dependency among undergraduate students. Existing Nigerian studies, including those by Anyaegbunam and Nwafor (2023) and Mustapha et al. (2024), have established the relevance of problematic social networking and cyber relational addiction to interpersonal dependency and relationships among university students. However, the specific influence of digital relationship platforms on emotional dependency among undergraduate students of Kwara State University, Malete, requires further investigation. It is against this background that this study seeks to examine the influence of digital relationship platforms on emotional dependency among undergraduate students of Kwara State University, Malete, with particular attention to patterns of platform usage, emotional reliance, online reassurance-seeking and the challenges associated with excessive digital relationship engagement.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The increasing popularity of digital relationship platforms has significantly changed the way undergraduate students establish and maintain social and romantic relationships. Applications such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok have made communication easier, faster and more convenient. However, the growing reliance on these platforms for emotional communication and relationship maintenance has raised concerns about the possibility of excessive emotional attachment among students. Some undergraduate students may become overly concerned about receiving messages, calls, online attention and emotional responses from their friends or romantic partners. Such behaviour may gradually develop into emotional dependency, whereby individuals find it difficult to maintain emotional stability without continuous attention and reassurance from others. Anyaegbunam and Nwafor (2023) found a significant relationship between problematic social networking site use and interpersonal dependency among Nigerian undergraduates, suggesting that excessive engagement with digital platforms may be associated with increased emotional reliance. The problem, therefore, concerns whether the increasing use of digital relationship platforms is encouraging unhealthy emotional dependence among undergraduate students.

Another major problem relates to the psychological and emotional consequences associated with excessive engagement in digital relationships. Undergraduate students who become excessively attached to online communication may experience anxiety, insecurity, jealousy, fear of rejection and emotional dissatisfaction when their expectations are not met. For instance, failure to receive immediate responses to messages, observing a partner interacting with other people online or experiencing interruptions in regular communication may generate emotional discomfort and insecurity. In some situations, students may repeatedly check their phones, monitor their partners’ online activities or interrupt their academic and personal activities to maintain digital communication. These behaviours may affect their concentration, emotional independence and ability to manage personal relationships effectively. Gritti et al. (2023) identified anxious attachment and destructive interpersonal overdependence as potential risk factors associated with maladaptive smartphone and social networking use. Similarly, Alade (2017) established that active Instagram use could contribute to relationship conflicts and negative relationship outcomes among undergraduates. These findings raise concerns about the possible emotional and psychological consequences of excessive involvement in digital relationships.

Furthermore, the problem may be associated with the difficulty some students experience in distinguishing healthy digital communication from excessive emotional reliance. Digital platforms are designed to encourage continuous interaction through notifications, instant messaging, online status indicators, reactions and other interactive features. Although these features can improve communication, they may also encourage constant monitoring and expectations of immediate availability. Some students may interpret delayed responses as rejection, reduced affection or a lack of commitment, thereby becoming emotionally disturbed when their friends or romantic partners are unavailable online. Mustapha et al. (2024) observed the relevance of cyber relational addiction to interpersonal relationships among undergraduates in Nigeria and highlighted the importance of promoting psychological wellbeing and interpersonal relationship skills. However, the extent to which these digital relationship experiences contribute specifically to emotional dependency, including excessive reassurance-seeking, emotional insecurity and dependence on online attention, remains an issue that requires further investigation among undergraduate students.

Although previous studies have examined problematic social networking site use, cyber relational addiction and interpersonal relationship outcomes among Nigerian undergraduates, there remains a need to investigate the specific influence of digital relationship platforms on emotional dependency among students of Kwara State University, Malete. For instance, Anyaegbunam and Nwafor (2023) examined interpersonal dependency as a correlate of problematic social networking site use, while Mustapha et al. (2024) investigated cyber relational addiction and interpersonal relationships among University of Ilorin undergraduates. These studies provide useful evidence but do not directly establish how the use of digital relationship platforms influences emotional dependency among undergraduate students of Kwara State University. Therefore, the extent to which the frequency of digital communication, online relationship engagement and dependence on virtual emotional reassurance influence students’ emotional independence remains insufficiently established within the specific study population. This study is consequently necessary to examine the influence of digital relationship platforms on emotional dependency among undergraduate students of Kwara State University, Malete.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to examine the influence of digital relationship platforms on emotional dependency among undergraduate students of Kwara State University, Malete.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Examine the extent of digital relationship platform usage among undergraduate students of Kwara State University, Malete.

2. Determine the influence of digital relationship platforms on emotional reliance and attachment among undergraduate students.

3. Examine the relationship between online communication patterns and emotional dependency among undergraduate students.

4. Identify the psychological and social challenges associated with excessive use of digital relationship platforms among undergraduate students.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions are formulated to guide the study:

1. To what extent do undergraduate students of Kwara State University, Malete, use digital relationship platforms?

2. How do digital relationship platforms influence emotional reliance and attachment among undergraduate students?

3. What is the relationship between online communication patterns and emotional dependency among undergraduate students?

4. What are the psychological and social challenges associated with excessive use of digital relationship platforms among undergraduate students?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The following null hypothesis will be tested at a 0.05 level of significance:

H₀: There is no significant relationship between the use of digital relationship platforms and emotional dependency among undergraduate students of Kwara State University, Malete.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is expected to be significant to undergraduate students, university management, counsellors and psychologists, parents and guardians, lecturers, researchers and other stakeholders interested in students’ psychological and social wellbeing.

Undergraduate Students: The findings of this study will help undergraduate students understand the possible emotional consequences of excessive engagement with digital relationship platforms. It will create awareness about the importance of maintaining emotional independence, developing healthy communication habits and establishing appropriate boundaries in online relationships. The study may also encourage students to balance their digital interactions with academic responsibilities, physical relationships and personal development.

University Management: The study will provide useful information to the management of Kwara State University, Malete, concerning the possible influence of digital relationship platforms on students’ emotional and social wellbeing. The findings may assist the university in developing programmes and policies that promote responsible digital engagement, healthy interpersonal relationships and improved student welfare.

Counsellors and Psychologists: The study will serve as a useful resource for counsellors and psychologists working with undergraduate students. It will provide insights into how excessive digital relationship engagement may be associated with emotional insecurity, anxiety, excessive attachment and dependence on online reassurance. The findings may assist professionals in designing counselling interventions, awareness programmes and psychological support services for students experiencing emotional difficulties associated with digital relationships.

Parents and Guardians: The study will help parents and guardians understand the changing nature of relationships among young adults in the digital environment. It may encourage them to provide appropriate guidance and emotional support to students while promoting responsible use of digital platforms and healthy relationship practices.

Lecturers and Academic Advisers: The findings may help lecturers and academic advisers appreciate how excessive digital engagement and emotional disturbances can affect students’ concentration, academic participation and general academic activities. This understanding may encourage them to support initiatives that promote students’ psychological wellbeing and effective time management.

Researchers and Future Scholars: The study will contribute to existing literature on digital communication, emotional dependency, social networking and interpersonal relationships among university students. It will provide a foundation for future studies examining the psychological implications of digital relationship platforms, particularly within Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Society: The study may contribute to broader awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy relationships in an increasingly digital society. Its findings may encourage responsible digital communication, emotional independence and improved interpersonal relationships among young adults.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study focuses on the influence of digital relationship platforms on emotional dependency among undergraduate students of Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State.

Geographically, the study is restricted to Kwara State University, Malete. It will cover undergraduate students enrolled in the university and will not extend to postgraduate students or students of other tertiary institutions.

Thematically, the study examines the extent of digital relationship platform usage, the influence of these platforms on emotional reliance and attachment, the relationship between online communication patterns and emotional dependency, and the psychological and social challenges associated with excessive use of digital relationship platforms.

The digital relationship platforms considered in the study include WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and other relevant online communication and relationship applications.

The study focuses on emotional dependency as reflected in excessive emotional reliance, the need for constant reassurance, anxiety over delayed communication, fear of losing online relationships and difficulty maintaining emotional independence.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

The following terms are defined according to their usage in this study.

Digital Relationship Platforms: These refer to internet-based applications and social networking technologies that enable individuals to establish, develop and maintain social, romantic and emotional relationships through virtual communication. Examples include WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Emotional Dependency: This refers to a condition in which an individual excessively relies on another person for emotional satisfaction, affection, reassurance, acceptance and psychological security, such that their emotional wellbeing becomes strongly influenced by that person’s attention and availability.

Undergraduate Students: These are students enrolled in undergraduate academic programmes at Kwara State University, Malete, who are pursuing their first university degree.

Emotional Reliance: This refers to the extent to which an individual depends on another person for emotional support, reassurance, affection and personal satisfaction.

Online Communication Patterns: These refer to the frequency, duration, nature and regularity of interactions between individuals through digital relationship platforms, including text messages, voice calls, video calls and social media interactions.

Online Relationship Engagement: This refers to the level of participation and involvement of individuals in developing and maintaining friendships, romantic relationships and other interpersonal connections through digital platforms.

Emotional Attachment: This refers to the emotional bond that an individual develops towards another person, which may involve affection, trust, closeness and a desire for continued interaction.

Excessive Digital Engagement: This refers to the prolonged or uncontrolled use of digital relationship platforms to the extent that it interferes with an individual’s academic, social, emotional or personal responsibilities.

Emotional Independence: This refers to an individual’s ability to maintain emotional stability, personal confidence and psychological wellbeing without excessive reliance on another person’s attention, approval or constant communication.

Project – The Influence of Digital Relationship Platforms on Emotional Dependency Among Undergraduate Students of Kwara State University, Malete.