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23 pages, 642 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Loneliness and Emancipation: A Multilevel Analysis of the Connection between Gender Inequality, Loneliness, and Social Isolation in the ISSP 2017

by Janosch Schobin

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(12), 7428; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19127428 - 17 Jun 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2298

Abstract

The present article analyzes the connection between, on the one hand, gender equality and, on the other hand, loneliness and social isolation. It hypothesizes that modern relational institutions that support gender equality, such as no-fault divorce laws, reduce loneliness in close relationships. This [...] Read more.

The present article analyzes the connection between, on the one hand, gender equality and, on the other hand, loneliness and social isolation. It hypothesizes that modern relational institutions that support gender equality, such as no-fault divorce laws, reduce loneliness in close relationships. This hypothesis is put to the test through a multilevel analysis of the International Social Survey Program (ISSP) 2017. The analysis reveals that the data agree, to a large extent, with the theoretical arguments. The prevalence of loneliness is higher in countries with higher levels of gender inequality (as measured by the Gender Inequality Index (GII)). This can be attributed to a moderation effect; at lower levels of gender inequality, partnerships provide better protection from loneliness. These results are robust to controls for demographic composition, level of health, educational attainment, income poverty, and interview mode. Last, the analyses show that the threat of emotional isolation is more widespread in countries with low gender inequality. These findings, however, are only significant before controlling for demographic composition, level of health, educational attainment, income poverty, and interview mode, and they require further analysis. The concluding section relates these findings to the popular tendency to argue that modern society has created a “loneliness epidemic” and discusses policy implications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

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10 pages, 511 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lonely in Different Relationships: Bidirectional Effects between Parent- and Peer-Related Loneliness in Adolescence

by Flore Geukens, Annette Spithoven, Margot Bastin, Janne Vanhalst and Marlies Maes

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(12), 7014; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19127014 - 8 Jun 2022

Viewed by 1785

Abstract

Although it is assumed that loneliness in one relationship might put one at risk of experiencing loneliness in another relationship, this association has rarely been examined as such. In this longitudinal study, we examined the associations between peer- and parent-related loneliness in a [...] Read more.

Although it is assumed that loneliness in one relationship might put one at risk of experiencing loneliness in another relationship, this association has rarely been examined as such. In this longitudinal study, we examined the associations between peer- and parent-related loneliness in a sample of 3391 adolescents across three waves (M_{age Wave 1} = 14.53; 59.3% female). Using random intercept cross-lagged panel models, parent- and peer-related loneliness were found to be stable over time and were concurrently related to each other. Moreover, the state of peer-related loneliness predicted the state of parent-related loneliness one year later. Thereby, the current study provides limited evidence of a carry-over effect between relation-specific types of loneliness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

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20 pages, 1405 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From Physical Distancing to Social Loneliness among Gay Men and Other Men Having Sex with Men in Belgium: Examining the Disruption of the Social Network and Social Support Structures

by Estrelle Thunnissen, Veerle Buffel, Thijs Reyniers, Christiana Nöstlinger and Edwin Wouters

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(11), 6873; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19116873 - 4 Jun 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1999

Abstract

Since the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, levels of loneliness have increased among the general population and especially among sexual minorities, such as gay men and other men who have sex with men, who already experienced more problems with social isolation before the [...] Read more.

Since the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, levels of loneliness have increased among the general population and especially among sexual minorities, such as gay men and other men who have sex with men, who already experienced more problems with social isolation before the pandemic. We analyzed how the disruption of the social network and social support structures by containment measures impact loneliness among gay and other men having sex with men. Our sample consisted of gay and other men having sex with men who had in person communication with family as well as heterosexual friends and homosexual friends before the lockdown (N = 461). Multivariate regression analyses were performed with social provisions (social interaction and reliable alliance) and loneliness as dependent variables. A change from in-person communication with gay peers before the pandemic to remote-only or no communication with gay peers during the pandemic, mediated by change in social integration, was related to an increased feeling of loneliness during the pandemic compared with before the pandemic. There were some unexpected findings, which should be interpreted in the specific social context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. On average, social integration and reliable alliance among MSM increased during the lockdown, even though in-person communication decreased and loneliness increased. Our results show it is critical to maintain a view of social support and social loneliness as lodged within larger social and cultural contexts that ultimately shape the mechanisms behind them. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

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19 pages, 544 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Social Isolation and Loneliness among Near-Centenarians and Centenarians: Results from the Fordham Centenarian Study

by Daniele Zaccaria, Stefano Cavalli, Barbara Masotti, Carla Gomes Da Rocha, Armin von Gunten and Daniela S. Jopp

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(10), 5940; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19105940 - 13 May 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2939

Abstract

Social isolation and loneliness have been recognized as problems older people face due to their adverse effects on health and mortality, but very few researchers have analyzed their co-occurrence, which might be particularly prevalent and critical among the very old. In this study, [...] Read more.

Social isolation and loneliness have been recognized as problems older people face due to their adverse effects on health and mortality, but very few researchers have analyzed their co-occurrence, which might be particularly prevalent and critical among the very old. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of combinations of social isolation and loneliness among near-centenarians and centenarians. We used data collected from 94 individuals aged 95–107 from the Fordham Centenarian Study. We built a four-group typology and explored associations with individual characteristics in various domains (demographic, socioeconomics, social, health, care, and psychological) with multinomial logistic regression models. Considering their combinations, the most prevalent groups were “isolated and lonely” and “neither isolated nor lonely” (29.8% and 28.7%, respectively). The “lonely but not isolated” (20.2%) and “isolated but not lonely” (21.3%) groups were also notably large. The likelihood of belonging to each group varied according to various individual characteristics, such as education, health, and personality. Social isolation and loneliness are distinct phenomena among centenarians. The consideration of their varied combination can help better assess life conditions at very old ages. Taking into account the differences between groups can facilitate the design of tailored interventions to improve the lives of near-centenarians and centenarians. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

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18 pages, 1015 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Does Mobile Internet Use Affect the Loneliness of Older Chinese Adults? An Instrumental Variable Quantile Analysis

by Zenghua Guo and Boyu Zhu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5575; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19095575 - 4 May 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2695

Abstract

Based on the 2018 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) data, we empirically analyze the effect, heterogeneity, quantile differences and influencing mechanisms of mobile Internet use on loneliness in the elderly. The study found that the loneliness of the elderly who used mobile Internet [...] Read more.

Based on the 2018 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) data, we empirically analyze the effect, heterogeneity, quantile differences and influencing mechanisms of mobile Internet use on loneliness in the elderly. The study found that the loneliness of the elderly who used mobile Internet was 33.1% lower than that of the elderly who did not use the mobile Internet The study also passed the robustness test. There is heterogeneity in the effect of mobile Internet use on loneliness among the elderly of different ages, educational levels and marital status. Among them, the use of mobile Internet has a significant alleviating effect on the loneliness of the 60–70-year-old elderly, those of junior high school education level and below, and the elderly with a partner. The quantile regression analysis showed that the elderly group with a high level of loneliness benefited more from the use of mobile Internet. Mediation analysis further showed that mobile Internet use can improve parent–child relationship, increase offline interactions with children, and reduce children’s tangible support, which we interpret as a potential mechanism for mobile Internet use to alleviate loneliness in the elderly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

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11 pages, 633 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Loneliness in Older Indian Dyads

by Aparna Shankar and Tara Kidd

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5302; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19095302 - 27 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2119

Abstract

Background: Loneliness has been recognised as a major public health concern in older adults in developed nations, with little focus on low- and middle-income countries such as India. While the protective nature of social relationships on loneliness has been explored in the context [...] Read more.

Background: Loneliness has been recognised as a major public health concern in older adults in developed nations, with little focus on low- and middle-income countries such as India. While the protective nature of social relationships on loneliness has been explored in the context of marriage, typically these benefits are examined in individual spouses rather than within the marital dyad. Methods: A sample of 398 opposite-sex married Indian couples (mean age 54.8 years) was obtained from the pilot wave of the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) conducted in 2010. These cross-sectional data were analysed using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model, with one’s own and one’s partner’s cognitive function, functional limitations, depressive symptoms, employment status and contact with friends included as predictors of loneliness. Results: There were no gender differences in the pattern of associations. Depression was positively associated with loneliness with actor and partner effects being significant. One’s partner being employed was associated with less loneliness. Conclusions: The sample showed low levels of depression, loneliness, and reduced functionality; however, depression still predicted one’s own and one’s partner’s loneliness. Future work using longitudinal data could examine the role of employment in loneliness, particularly within the context of gender roles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

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12 pages, 679 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Association between Trajectories of Loneliness and Physical Frailty in Chinese Older Adults: Does Age Matter?

by Sha Sha, Sunny H. W. Chan, Lin Chen, Yuebin Xu and Yao Pan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5105; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19095105 - 22 Apr 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2151

Abstract

Background: The present study aimed to examine age differences in the relationship between trajectories of loneliness and physical frailty among Chinese older adults. Methods: A total of 4618 participants aged ≥60 years old were taken from pooled data created from the [...] Read more.

Background: The present study aimed to examine age differences in the relationship between trajectories of loneliness and physical frailty among Chinese older adults. Methods: A total of 4618 participants aged ≥60 years old were taken from pooled data created from the 2011–2015 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Loneliness was assessed by a single question from the Centre for Epidemiological Studies scale, whereas physical frailty (PF) was examined by the physical frailty phenotype scale. We characterized trajectories of loneliness and PF using transition types and changes within the survey period. Results: Logistic regression models revealed that baseline loneliness was significantly related to remaining robust PF (OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.49–0.63, p < 0.001) and worsening in PF (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.05–1.30, p < 0.01) at follow-up. Baseline PF status was also significantly related to the transitions in loneliness (worsen: OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.11–1.78, p < 0.01; improve: OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.47–0.91, p < 0.05). The cross-lagged panel model found that baseline PF or loneliness had a significant predictive effect on the changes in each other. The associations between trajectories of loneliness and PF were weakened with age and clustered in the under 75 age groups. Conclusions: Bidirectional associations may exist between trajectories of loneliness and PF among Chinese older adults. Interventions should mainly target the young-old to reduce the adverse reciprocal effects of loneliness and PF. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

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9 pages, 474 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Association between Depression and Perceived Stress among Parents of Autistic and Non-Autistic Children—The Role of Loneliness

by Kasper Sipowicz, Tadeusz Pietras, Marlena Podlecka and Łukasz Mokros

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(5), 3019; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19053019 - 4 Mar 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2301

Abstract

Having an autistic child significantly impairs the functioning of the family, including the wellbeing of the parents. The aim of this study was to assess whether loneliness mediates the relationship between perceived stress and the severity of depressive symptoms in the studied sample [...] Read more.

Having an autistic child significantly impairs the functioning of the family, including the wellbeing of the parents. The aim of this study was to assess whether loneliness mediates the relationship between perceived stress and the severity of depressive symptoms in the studied sample of parents. This cross-sectional study involved 39 parents of autistic children and 45 parents of non-autistic children. They completed a set of tests: a survey on sociodemographic and clinical data and psychometric questionnaires, i.e., Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI), De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS), and Perceived Stress Questionnaire (KPS). A rise in external and intrapsychic stress, independently, was linked to a rise in the severity of depressive symptoms. The severity of depression, loneliness and stress was higher among parents of autistic children compared with parents of non-autistic children. Intrapsychic stress exhibited an indirect effect through loneliness on the worsening of depressive symptoms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

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14 pages, 1253 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Using a Loneliness Measure to Screen for Risk of Mental Health Problems: A Replication in Two Nationally Representative Cohorts

by Timothy Matthews, Bridget T. Bryan, Andrea Danese, Alan J. Meehan, Richie Poulton and Louise Arseneault

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(3), 1641; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19031641 - 31 Jan 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3769

Abstract

Background: Loneliness co-occurs alongside many mental health problems and is associated with poorer treatment outcomes. It could therefore be a phenomenon of interest to clinicians as an indicator of generalised risk for psychopathology. The present study tested whether a short measure of loneliness [...] Read more.

Background: Loneliness co-occurs alongside many mental health problems and is associated with poorer treatment outcomes. It could therefore be a phenomenon of interest to clinicians as an indicator of generalised risk for psychopathology. The present study tested whether a short measure of loneliness can accurately classify individuals who are at increased risk of common mental health problems. Methods: Data were drawn from two nationally representative cohorts: the age-18 wave of the UK-based Environmental Risk (E-Risk) Longitudinal Twin Study and the age-38 wave of the New Zealand-based Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study. In both cohorts, loneliness was assessed using the three-item UCLA Loneliness Scale, plus two stand-alone items about feeling alone and feeling lonely. Outcome measures consisted of diagnoses of depression and anxiety and self-reports of self-harm/suicide attempts, assessed via a structured interview. Results: ROC curve analysis showed that the Loneliness Scale had fair accuracy in classifying individuals meeting criteria for all three outcomes, with a cut-off score of 5 (on a scale from 3 to 9) having the strongest empirical support. Both of the stand-alone items showed modest sensitivity and specificity but were more limited in their flexibility. The findings were replicated across the two cohorts, indicating that they are applicable both to younger and older adults. In addition, the accuracy of the loneliness scale in detecting mental health problems was comparable to a measure of poor sleep quality, a phenomenon which is often included in screening tools for depression and anxiety. Conclusions: These findings indicate that a loneliness measure could have utility in mental health screening contexts, as well as in research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

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12 pages, 295 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Psychological Structure of Loneliness

by Axel Seemann

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(3), 1061; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19031061 - 18 Jan 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4216

Abstract

Despite the current surge of interest in loneliness, its health consequences, and possible remedies, the concept itself remains poorly understood. This paper seeks to contribute to a more fully worked out account of what loneliness consists in. It does this by stressing that [...] Read more.

Despite the current surge of interest in loneliness, its health consequences, and possible remedies, the concept itself remains poorly understood. This paper seeks to contribute to a more fully worked out account of what loneliness consists in. It does this by stressing that loneliness always has an experiential component and by introducing a simple psychological structure to analyze the experience. On this basis, it suggests that we can distinguish between three ways of thinking about the phenomenal dimension of loneliness. There are objectivist views that seek to understand loneliness by a description of its intentional object, subjectivist views that consider its holistic relation to other aspects of the sufferer’s psyche, and embodied and enacted views that focus on the relation between the lonely person’s mental life and her social environment. The aim is not to adjudicate between these views or to suggest that they are mutually exclusive. Rather, this paper recommends a pluralistic framework on which all three approaches have something to contribute to a fuller understanding of the condition and may be of use in devising measures aimed at improving sufferers’ health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

17 pages, 1140 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Association between Social Participation and Loneliness of the Chinese Older Adults over Time—The Mediating Effect of Social Support

by Lijuan Zhao and Lin Wu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(2), 815; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19020815 - 12 Jan 2022

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 3404

Abstract

Based on activity theory, this paper employed data from the 2013, 2015, and 2018 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey, and adopted Hierarchical Linear Modeling and longitudinal mediation analysis to explore the temporal variation characteristics of loneliness and the influence [...] Read more.

Based on activity theory, this paper employed data from the 2013, 2015, and 2018 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey, and adopted Hierarchical Linear Modeling and longitudinal mediation analysis to explore the temporal variation characteristics of loneliness and the influence of social participation on loneliness in Chinese Older Adults, as well as the mechanism of them. The study found that loneliness among older adults overall was at a moderate level from 2013 to 2018 and increased over time, which may be related to decreasing social participation from year to year. Decreased social participation was associated with increased loneliness over time (β = −0.060, p < 0.001) and lower social support (β = 0.109, p < 0.001), which was associated with more loneliness (β = −0.098, p < 0.001). In addition, social support played a significant mediating role in the realization of social participation in alleviating loneliness. Social participation can not only directly reduce loneliness, but also reduce loneliness by increasing social support. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

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18 pages, 348 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Missing Measure of Loneliness: A Case for Including Neededness in Loneliness Scales

by Ariel Gordy, Helen Han Wei Luo, Margo Sidline and Kimberley Brownlee

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(1), 429; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19010429 - 31 Dec 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4244

Abstract

Prominent tools used to measure loneliness such as the UCLA Scale and DJGS include no items related to being needed, i.e., neededness. More recent scales such as the DLS and SELSA do include items on neededness, but only within their romantic loneliness [...] Read more.

Prominent tools used to measure loneliness such as the UCLA Scale and DJGS include no items related to being needed, i.e., neededness. More recent scales such as the DLS and SELSA do include items on neededness, but only within their romantic loneliness subscales. This paper proposes that new iterations of loneliness scales should include in all subscales two items on neededness: (a) whether a person feels important to someone else and (b) whether that person has good ways to serve others’ well-being. The paper surveys cognate studies that do not rely on loneliness scales but establish a link between neededness and feelings of social connection. It then highlights ways in which neededness items would improve the ability of loneliness scales to specify the risk profile, to delineate variations in the emotional tone and quality of loneliness, and to propose suitable interventions. The paper outlines a theoretical argument—drawing on moral philosophy—that prosociality and being needed are non-contingent, morally urgent human needs, postulating that the protective benefits of neededness vary according to at least four factors: the significance, persistence, non-instrumentality, and non-fungibility of the ways in which a person is needed. Finally, the paper considers implications for the design of appropriate remedies for loneliness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

26 pages, 2728 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Understanding Loneliness in Adolescence: A Test of Competing Hypotheses on the Interplay of Extraversion and Neuroticism

by Larissa L. Wieczorek, Sarah Humberg, Denis Gerstorf and Jenny Wagner

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(23), 12412; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182312412 - 25 Nov 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3139

Abstract

Given that adolescents often experience fundamental changes in social relationships, they are considered to be especially prone to loneliness. Meanwhile, theory and research highlight that both extraversion and neuroticism are closely intertwined with individual differences in loneliness. Extant research has explored the linear [...] Read more.

Given that adolescents often experience fundamental changes in social relationships, they are considered to be especially prone to loneliness. Meanwhile, theory and research highlight that both extraversion and neuroticism are closely intertwined with individual differences in loneliness. Extant research has explored the linear main effects of these personality traits, yet potential non-linear associations (e.g., exponential effects) and the potential interplay of extraversion and neuroticism (e.g., mutual reinforcement effects) remain unknown. We addressed these open questions using cross-sectional and one-year longitudinal data from two adolescent samples (overall N = 583, M_age = 17.57, 60.55% girls) and an information-theoretic approach combined with polynomial regression. Analyses showed little evidence for interaction effects but revealed non-linear effects in addition to the main effects of extraversion and neuroticism on loneliness. For example, the positive cross-sectional association between neuroticism and loneliness was stronger at higher neuroticism levels (i.e., exponential effect). Results differed across loneliness facets in that both traits predicted emotional loneliness, but only extraversion predicted social loneliness. Longitudinal analyses showed that loneliness changes were mainly related to neuroticism. We discuss results in the light of sample differences, elaborate on the importance to differentiate between emotional versus social aspects of loneliness, and outline implications for adolescent development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

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21 pages, 359 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Frequency, Intensity, and Duration of Loneliness: A Latent Class Analysis of Data from the BBC Loneliness Experiment

by Pamela Qualter, Kimberly Petersen, Manuela Barreto, Christina Victor, Claudia Hammond and Sana-Arub Arshad

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12027; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182212027 - 16 Nov 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3403

Abstract

Almost all measures of loneliness have been developed without discussing how to best conceptualize and assess the severity of loneliness. In the current study, we adapted the four-item UCLA, so that it continued to measure frequency of loneliness, but also assessed intensity and [...] Read more.

Almost all measures of loneliness have been developed without discussing how to best conceptualize and assess the severity of loneliness. In the current study, we adapted the four-item UCLA, so that it continued to measure frequency of loneliness, but also assessed intensity and duration, providing a measure of other aspects of loneliness severity. Using data from participants resident in the UK who completed the BBC Loneliness Experiment (N = 36,767; F = 69.6%) and Latent Class Profile Analyses, we identified four groups of people who scored high on loneliness on at least one of the three severity measures. Duration of loneliness often over months or years seemed to be particularly important in distinguishing groups. Further, group membership was predicted by important demographic and psychological variables. We discuss the findings in terms of implications for research and practice. We highlight the need to explore these profiles longitudinally to investigate how membership predicts later mental and physical health, and well-being. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

13 pages, 1481 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Loneliness and Mental Health: The Mediating Effect of Perceived Social Support

by Elody Hutten, Ellen M. M. Jongen, Anique E. C. C. Vos, Anja J. H. C. van den Hout and Jacques J. D. M. van Lankveld

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 11963; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182211963 - 14 Nov 2021

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 7046

Abstract

Social connectedness is a fundamental human need. The Evolutionary Theory of Loneliness (ETL) predicts that a lack of social connectedness has long-term mental and physical health consequences. Social support is a potential mechanism through which loneliness influences health. The present cross-sectional study examined [...] Read more.

Social connectedness is a fundamental human need. The Evolutionary Theory of Loneliness (ETL) predicts that a lack of social connectedness has long-term mental and physical health consequences. Social support is a potential mechanism through which loneliness influences health. The present cross-sectional study examined the relationship between loneliness and mental health, and the mediating effects of social support in a Dutch adult sample (N = 187, age 20 to 70). The health variables included in the study are anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms as measured by the SCL-90, and the DSM-5 diagnosis somatic symptom disorder. The results indicated that social support partially mediated the relationship between loneliness and anxiety, depression, and somatic symptoms. These results indicate that social support partially explains the relationship between loneliness and physical and mental health issues. The relationship between loneliness and being diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder was not mediated by social support. This suggests that the mechanisms through which loneliness relates to either somatic symptoms or somatic symptom disorder are different. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

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31 pages, 3169 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tell Me about Loneliness: Interviews with Young People about What Loneliness Is and How to Cope with It

by Lily Verity, Tine Schellekens, Tine Adam, Floor Sillis, Marinella Majorano, Michael Wigelsworth, Pamela Qualter, Beth Peters, Stephanie Stajniak and Marlies Maes

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 11904; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182211904 - 12 Nov 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5987

Abstract

Background: loneliness is a common experience for adolescents, yet the voices of adolescents are missing from current conceptualisations of loneliness. That means, measures that have been created based on current conceptualisations may miss important contexts of adolescence, such as the roles of friendships, [...] Read more.

Background: loneliness is a common experience for adolescents, yet the voices of adolescents are missing from current conceptualisations of loneliness. That means, measures that have been created based on current conceptualisations may miss important contexts of adolescence, such as the roles of friendships, that determine the way loneliness is experienced. The current study aims to centre adolescent voices to identify how they conceptualise loneliness and what strategies they consider to be useful for adolescents to cope with loneliness. Method: thematic framework analysis (TFA) was conducted on qualitative interviews with young people aged 8–14 years in Belgium and Italy to identify salient themes in their conceptualisations of loneliness. Results: Loneliness was conceptualised as a negative emotional state involving negative thinking patterns that occurs when an individual perceives they are missing out on a desired aspect in their social relationships. Coping strategies related to alleviating negative affect, and aiding social reconnection. Conclusions: friendships with peers were understood to be central to adolescent loneliness experiences. In line with that, loneliness was seen to be experienced at school. Age-related differences in friendship expectations were identified, highlighting how developmental needs relate to the loneliness experience. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

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16 pages, 352 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lonely, but Not Alone: Qualitative Study among Immigrant and Native-Born Adolescents

by Katrine Rich Madsen, Tine Tjørnhøj-Thomsen, Signe Smith Jervelund, Pamela Qualter and Bjørn E. Holstein

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11425; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182111425 - 30 Oct 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2274

Abstract

This paper explores loneliness as it is understood and experienced by adolescents, with a special focus on the importance of their migration status. We recruited students from five schools following a maximum variation sampling scheme, and we conducted 15 semi-structured, individual interviews with [...] Read more.

This paper explores loneliness as it is understood and experienced by adolescents, with a special focus on the importance of their migration status. We recruited students from five schools following a maximum variation sampling scheme, and we conducted 15 semi-structured, individual interviews with eighth-grade adolescents (aged 14–15 years) that were immigrants, descendants, and with a Danish majority background. A thematic analysis was applied with a special focus on differences and similarities in understanding and experiencing loneliness between adolescents with diverse migration status. The results showed more similarities than differences in loneliness. Generally, loneliness was described as an adverse feeling, varying in intensity and duration, and participants referenced distressing emotions. Feeling lonely was distinguished from being alone and characterized as an invisible social stigma. A variety of perceived social deficiencies were emphasized as causing loneliness, emerging in the interrelation between characteristics of the individual and their social context. The results add to the current literature by highlighting that it is not the presence of specific individual characteristics that causes loneliness; instead, loneliness is dependent on the social contexts the individual is embedded in. Differences across migration status were few and related to variations in the adolescents’ individual characteristics. The findings highlight the importance of (1) studying the characteristics of both the individual and the social context in research on the antecedents to adolescents’ loneliness, and (2) applying this perspective in other studies on the importance of migration status. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

14 pages, 506 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Learning Difficulties and Loneliness in College and Beyond: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy, Proactive Coping, and Hope

by Tamar Icekson, Oranit Davidson Begerano, Michal Levinson, Jenny Savariego and Malka Margalit

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(19), 10508; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph181910508 - 7 Oct 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3568

Abstract

Following the conservation of resources, social-cognitive and hope theories, the goals of this study were to identify the role of self-efficacy, proactive coping, and hope as mediators in the relations between learning difficulties and loneliness distress. A questionnaire was sent to current and [...] Read more.

Following the conservation of resources, social-cognitive and hope theories, the goals of this study were to identify the role of self-efficacy, proactive coping, and hope as mediators in the relations between learning difficulties and loneliness distress. A questionnaire was sent to current and past students. The sample consisted of 498 participants. The results demonstrated that individuals with learning difficulties reported higher levels of loneliness compared with individuals without learning difficulties. Moreover, self-efficacy, proactive coping, and hope mediated the relations between levels of learning difficulties and loneliness. Specifically, the final model emphasized the important role of hopeful beliefs, since hope mediated the relations between learning difficulties, self-efficacy, and proactive coping with loneliness. In terms of practical implications, professionals’ awareness as well as psychoeducational programs could be tailor-made to enhance hopeful beliefs and reduce loneliness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

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10 pages, 318 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence and Social Inequality in Youth Loneliness in the UK

by Pamela Qualter, Alexandra Hennessey, Keming Yang, Kayleigh L. Chester, Ellen Klemera and Fiona Brooks

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(19), 10420; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph181910420 - 3 Oct 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3530

Abstract

Using data from the English arm of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, we examined the prevalence of loneliness for school-aged adolescents and how it is linked to social inequalities. The HBSC study collects data from 11-, 13-, and 15-year-olds, and [...] Read more.

Using data from the English arm of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, we examined the prevalence of loneliness for school-aged adolescents and how it is linked to social inequalities. The HBSC study collects data from 11-, 13-, and 15-year-olds, and is repeated every four years, allowing the exploration of prevalence rates of loneliness pre COVID-19 pandemic for comparison. We also explored whether loneliness was associated with socio-economic status (SES) and linked to academic attainment and health complaints. The total sample was 14,077 from 156 schools in England. Findings revealed a stable prevalence rate of 8.2% for loneliness from 2006 to 2014. We also found, across all survey years, (1) those aged 15 years were significantly lonelier than younger peers, (2) those who reported lower SES were lonelier than their more well-off peers, and (3) higher loneliness was associated with being ‘”below average” academically and reporting more health complaints. Conclusions: These prevalence data enable researchers, policymakers, and others to make comparisons with prevalence rates during the COVID-19 pandemic to explore whether there have been increases in loneliness among school-aged adolescents. Loneliness was consistently related to social inequalities, suggesting that targeted interventions that include whole systems changes are needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

12 pages, 785 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Association between Loneliness, Mental Well-Being, and Self-Esteem among Adolescents in Four Nordic Countries

by Nelli Lyyra, Einar Baldvin Thorsteinsson, Charli Eriksson, Katrine Rich Madsen, Asko Tolvanen, Petra Löfstedt and Raili Välimaa

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(14), 7405; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18147405 - 11 Jul 2021

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 7865

Abstract

Positive mental health is central to adolescent well-being. The present study examines the prevalence of loneliness and positive mental health indicators (mental well-being and self-esteem) in four Nordic countries and associations between loneliness, mental well-being, and high self-esteem. This study is based on [...] Read more.

Positive mental health is central to adolescent well-being. The present study examines the prevalence of loneliness and positive mental health indicators (mental well-being and self-esteem) in four Nordic countries and associations between loneliness, mental well-being, and high self-esteem. This study is based on data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study which was conducted in 2018 in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden. Participants were 5883 15-year-old boys and girls. To examine the associations between loneliness, mental well-being, and self-esteem, structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied. In the comparison of Nordic countries, the prevalence of loneliness was highest among Finnish and Icelandic adolescents. High mental well-being and high self-esteem were most prevalent in Denmark and Sweden. In general, boys scored higher on positive mental health indicators and girls on loneliness. Loneliness was also a strong indicator of low mental well-being and low self-esteem in all Nordic countries. Loneliness is not only associated with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, but it is also a risk factor for adolescents’ positive mental health. Positive mental health is important for healthy maturation and there is a need to develop initiatives to reduce adolescent loneliness and so support positive development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

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10 pages, 332 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Loneliness among Homeless Individuals during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Franziska Bertram, Fabian Heinrich, Daniela Fröb, Birgit Wulff, Benjamin Ondruschka, Klaus Püschel, Hans-Helmut König and André Hajek

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(6), 3035; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18063035 - 16 Mar 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4383

Abstract

The feeling of loneliness is a major public health concern associated with multiple somatic and psychiatric illnesses. Studies have shown increasing incidence of loneliness in the general population during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Homeless individuals are a particularly vulnerable group; [...] Read more.

The feeling of loneliness is a major public health concern associated with multiple somatic and psychiatric illnesses. Studies have shown increasing incidence of loneliness in the general population during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Homeless individuals are a particularly vulnerable group; however, little is known about loneliness among homeless individuals. We therefore aimed to examine the prevalence of loneliness among homeless individuals during the pandemic. Furthermore, we estimated the association between loneliness and sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, as well as the self-perceived risk of contracting COVID-19. Data from the Hamburg survey of homeless individuals were used, including 151 homeless individuals that were recruited in spring of 2020. Loneliness was measured by the 3- item version of the UCLA-3 Loneliness Scale. To summarize, 48.5% of the participants experienced loneliness. Multiple linear regressions showed increased loneliness to be associated with male gender (β = 1.07, p = 0.01), being single (β = 1.33, p = 0.00), originating from Germany (β = 1.48, p = 0.00), high frequency of sharing a sleeping space with more than three people (β = 0.42, p = 0.02) and a higher self-perceived risk of contracting COVID-19 (β = 0.41, p = 0.02). On the contrary, there was no association of loneliness with age, educational level, chronic alcohol consumption or frequently sharing a sleeping space. In conclusion, the magnitude of loneliness among homeless individuals during the pandemic was highlighted. Description of factors determining loneliness may help to identify homeless individuals at risk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

9 pages, 309 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Associations of Problematic Binge-Watching with Depression, Social Interaction Anxiety, and Loneliness

by Jia-Ji Sun and Yen-Jung Chang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(3), 1168; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18031168 - 28 Jan 2021

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 11948

Abstract

Background: Binge-watching refers to the watching of several episodes of a TV series or program in rapid succession. This study aims to investigate the associations of binge-watching behavior with depression, social interaction anxiety, and loneliness risks among adults in Taiwan. Methods: A cross-sectional [...] Read more.

Background: Binge-watching refers to the watching of several episodes of a TV series or program in rapid succession. This study aims to investigate the associations of binge-watching behavior with depression, social interaction anxiety, and loneliness risks among adults in Taiwan. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in October 2018, in which data from 1488 participants were collected using a self-administered questionnaire comprising four valid and reliable scales: the Center for Epidemiologic Studied Depression Scale (CES-D), the Chinese version of the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS-C), the UCLA Loneliness Scale (version 3), and the Problematic Series Watching Scale (PSWS). Results: Among the surveyed participants, the mean age was 28.3, and most participants were women who had completed undergraduate education. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that, after adjustments for sociodemographic characteristics and self-reported health statuses, the score on the problematic binge-watching scale was positively associated with the scores on the depression, social interaction anxiety, and loneliness scales (p < 0.001 for each model). Conclusions: Problematic binge-watching was associated with increased depression, social interaction anxiety, and loneliness risks among adults in Taiwan. Additional studies on the relationship between problematic binge-watching and mental health problems, as well as its potential mechanism, are warranted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

15 pages, 369 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spotting Loneliness at School: Associations between Self-Reports and Teacher and Peer Nominations

by Flore Geukens, Marlies Maes, Antonius H. N. Cillessen, Hilde Colpin, Karla Van Leeuwen, Karine Verschueren and Luc Goossens

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(3), 971; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18030971 - 22 Jan 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5378

Abstract

In two independent studies, we aimed to examine the extent to which teacher and peer nominations of loneliness are associated with children’s and adolescents’ self-reported loneliness, respectively. Additionally, we examined whether loneliness nominations from teachers and peers were informative above and beyond peer [...] Read more.

In two independent studies, we aimed to examine the extent to which teacher and peer nominations of loneliness are associated with children’s and adolescents’ self-reported loneliness, respectively. Additionally, we examined whether loneliness nominations from teachers and peers were informative above and beyond peer status and social behaviors associated with loneliness. In Study 1 (N = 1594, M_age = 9.43 years), teacher nominations of loneliness showed a small to moderate correlation with children’s self-reported loneliness as assessed using the Loneliness and Social Dissatisfaction Questionnaire (LSDQ). The results of a hierarchical regression analysis showed that teacher nominations of loneliness predicted children’s self-reported loneliness above and beyond teacher nominations of peer status and social behaviors. In Study 2 (N = 350, M_age = 13.81 years), peer nominations of loneliness showed a small to moderate correlation with adolescents’ self-reported loneliness as assessed using the peer-related loneliness subscale of the Loneliness and Aloneness Scale for Children and Adolescents (LACA). The results of a hierarchical regression analysis showed that peer nominations of loneliness predicted adolescents’ self-reported loneliness above and beyond peer nominations of peer status and social behaviors. We conclude that loneliness nominations are valuable, but caution is needed when they are used exclusively to identify lonely children and adolescents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

14 pages, 362 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Typologies of Loneliness, Isolation and Living Alone Are Associated with Psychological Well-Being among Older Adults in Taipei: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Hui-Chuan Hsu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(24), 9181; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17249181 - 8 Dec 2020

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 4395

Abstract

Background: Loneliness, isolation, and living alone are emerging as critical issues in older people’s health and well-being, but the effects are not consistent. The purpose of this study was to examine the clustering of loneliness, isolation, and living alone, the risk factors and [...] Read more.

Background: Loneliness, isolation, and living alone are emerging as critical issues in older people’s health and well-being, but the effects are not consistent. The purpose of this study was to examine the clustering of loneliness, isolation, and living alone, the risk factors and the associations with psychological well-being. Methods: The data were collected from the 2019 Taipei City Senior Citizen Condition Survey by face-to-face interviews and included a community-based sample (n = 3553). Loneliness, isolation, and living arrangement were analyzed by cluster analysis to define Loneliness-Isolation-Living-Alone clusters. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the factors related to Loneliness-Isolation-Living-Alone clusters, and linear regression was used to examine association of clusters with psychological well-being. Results: Five clusters of older adults were identified and named as follows: Not Lonely-Connected-Others (53.4%), Not Lonely-Isolated-Others (26.6%), Not Lonely-Alone (5.0%), Lonely-Connected (8.1%), and Lonely-Isolated-Others (6.9%). Demographics, financial satisfaction, physical function, family relationship, and social participation were related to the Loneliness-Isolation-Living-Alone clusters. Compared with the Not Lonely-Connected-Others cluster, the Lonely-Connected cluster and Lonely-Isolated-Others cluster had higher depressive symptoms and lower life satisfaction, and the Not Lonely-Isolated-Others cluster reported lower life satisfaction; the Not Lonely-Alone cluster was not different. Discussion: Loneliness and isolation are negatively associated with psychological well-being, and living arrangement is not the determinant to loneliness or isolation. Older adults are suggested to strengthen their informal social support, and the government may encourage social care and create an age friendly environment to reduce loneliness and isolation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

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37 pages, 512 KiB

Open AccessReview

How (Not) to Measure Loneliness: A Review of the Eight Most Commonly Used Scales

by Marlies Maes, Pamela Qualter, Gerine M. A. Lodder and Marcus Mund

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(17), 10816; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph191710816 - 30 Aug 2022

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 7662

Abstract

Loneliness affects well-being and has long-term negative impacts on physical and mental health, educational outcomes, and employability. Because of those current and long-term impacts, loneliness is a significant issue for which we need reliable and appropriate measurement scales. In the current paper, psychometric [...] Read more.

Loneliness affects well-being and has long-term negative impacts on physical and mental health, educational outcomes, and employability. Because of those current and long-term impacts, loneliness is a significant issue for which we need reliable and appropriate measurement scales. In the current paper, psychometric properties of the eight most commonly used loneliness scales are reviewed both descriptively and meta-analytically. Results suggest that for many of the scales, the psychometric properties are promising. However, for some psychometric features, especially test-retest reliability and measurement invariance, evidence is rather scarce. Most striking, however, is the fact that all of the scales included items that do not measure loneliness. Surprisingly, for many (sub)scales, this was even the case for about half of the items. Because our measures are the foundation of our research work, it is crucial to improve the way loneliness is being measured. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

24 pages, 538 KiB

Open AccessReview

Loneliness: An Immunometabolic Syndrome

by Homa Pourriyahi, Niloufar Yazdanpanah, Amene Saghazadeh and Nima Rezaei

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12162; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182212162 - 19 Nov 2021

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 5814

Abstract

Loneliness has been defined as an agonizing encounter, experienced when the need for human intimacy is not met adequately, or when a person’s social network does not match their preference, either in number or attributes. This definition helps us realize that the cause [...] Read more.

Loneliness has been defined as an agonizing encounter, experienced when the need for human intimacy is not met adequately, or when a person’s social network does not match their preference, either in number or attributes. This definition helps us realize that the cause of loneliness is not merely being alone, but rather not being in the company we desire. With loneliness being introduced as a measurable, distinct psychological experience, it has been found to be associated with poor health behaviors, heightened stress response, and inadequate physiological repairing activity. With these three major pathways of pathogenesis, loneliness can do much harm; as it impacts both immune and metabolic regulation, altering the levels of inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, acute-phase reactants, chemokines, immunoglobulins, antibody response against viruses and vaccines, and immune cell activity; and affecting stress circuitry, glycemic control, lipid metabolism, body composition, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular function, cognitive function and mental health, respectively. Taken together, there are too many immunologic and metabolic manifestations associated with the construct of loneliness, and with previous literature showcasing loneliness as a distinct psychological experience and a health determinant, we propose that loneliness, in and of itself, is not just a psychosocial phenomenon. It is also an all-encompassing complex of systemic alterations that occur with it, expanding it into a syndrome of events, linked through a shared network of immunometabolic pathology. This review aims to portray a detailed picture of loneliness as an “immunometabolic syndrome”, with its multifaceted pathology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

19 pages, 635 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Conceptual Review of Loneliness in Adults: Qualitative Evidence Synthesis

by Louise Mansfield, Christina Victor, Catherine Meads, Norma Daykin, Alan Tomlinson, Jack Lane, Karen Gray and Alex Golding

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11522; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182111522 - 2 Nov 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 6837

Abstract

The paper reports an evidence synthesis of how loneliness is conceptualised in qualitative studies in adults. Using PRISMA guidelines, our review evaluated exposure to or experiences of loneliness by adults (aged 16+) in any setting as outcomes, processes, or both. Our initial review [...] Read more.

The paper reports an evidence synthesis of how loneliness is conceptualised in qualitative studies in adults. Using PRISMA guidelines, our review evaluated exposure to or experiences of loneliness by adults (aged 16+) in any setting as outcomes, processes, or both. Our initial review included any qualitative or mixed-methods study, published or unpublished, in English, from 1945 to 2018, if it employed an identified theory or concept for understanding loneliness. The review was updated to include publications up to November 2020. We used a PEEST (Participants, Exposure, Evaluation, Study Design, Theory) inclusion criteria. Data extraction and quality assessment (CASP) were completed and cross-checked by a second reviewer. The Evidence of Reviews of Qualitative Research (CERQual) was used to evaluate confidence in the findings. We undertook a thematic synthesis using inductive methods for peer-reviewed papers. The evidence identified three types of distinct but overlapping conceptualisations of loneliness: social, emotional, and existential. We have high confidence in the evidence conceptualising social loneliness and moderate confidence in the evidence on emotional and existential loneliness. Our findings provide a more nuanced understanding of these diverse conceptualisations to inform more effective decision-making and intervention development to address the negative wellbeing impacts of loneliness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

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16 pages, 494 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Systematic Review of the Development and Psychometric Properties of Loneliness Measures for Children and Adolescents

by Aimée Cole, Caroline Bond, Pamela Qualter and Marlies Maes

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(6), 3285; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18063285 - 22 Mar 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 6602

Abstract

This paper reviews the three most commonly used measures of loneliness for children and adolescents (children: Loneliness and Aloneness Scale for Children and Adolescents [LACA] and Children’s Loneliness and Social Dissatisfaction Scale [CLS]; adolescents: UCLA Loneliness Scale [UCLA] and LACA). Loneliness is a [...] Read more.

This paper reviews the three most commonly used measures of loneliness for children and adolescents (children: Loneliness and Aloneness Scale for Children and Adolescents [LACA] and Children’s Loneliness and Social Dissatisfaction Scale [CLS]; adolescents: UCLA Loneliness Scale [UCLA] and LACA). Loneliness is a pertinent issue across populations and affects the mental health and academic achievement of children and adolescents. To date, there has been no thorough examination of the loneliness measures for this age group. We examine how each of the three measures was developed, and assess the psychometric properties of those measures, gaining insight into whether they are valid and reliable assessments of loneliness. Results suggest that the UCLA Loneliness Scale is the most popular measure of loneliness for use with adolescents, but it does not have robust psychometric properties for that group. For children, the CLS appears most suitable. Results of the review identify gaps in aspects of measure development, with no measure having been developed with children or adolescents. Implications for future loneliness measurement research are considered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Loneliness: An Issue for Personal Well-Being and Public Health)

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