Correlates of loneliness in midadolescence

Abstract

The present study was designed to assess the relationship between adolescent loneliness and the following factors commonly associated with adult loneliness: attributional style, self-esteem, social anxiety, and social skills. Subjects were 186 ninth-grade students (107 males and 79 females) who were asked to complete seven different paper-and-pencil measures. Data were analyzed by calculating separate stepwise multiple regression equations for the total sample, males and females. Three significant predictors were found for the total sample: student social skills rating scale, self-esteem, and the perception of stability in interpersonal situations (attributional style). A different pattern of predictors emerged for males and females. Loneliness could be predicted for males from three variables: low self-esteem, the perception of uncontrollability in noninterpersonal situations, and self-perceptions of poor social skills. The best multiple predictors of loneliness for the females were self-perceptions of poor social skills, high social anxiety, and stable attributions for interpersonal situations.

Optimistic, Approach‐oriented, and Avoidance Strategies in Social Situations: Three Studies on Loneliness and Peer Relationships

“…Not surprisingly, an increasing amount of studies have been carried out recently in this research field. For example, lack of social skills, social anxiety, and low self-esteem have been found to be associated with feelings of loneliness (Inderbitzen-Pisaruk, Clark and Solano, 1992;Jones, Freedon and Goswick, 1981) and with problems in initiating close peer relationships (Savin- Williams and Berndt, 1990).…”

Dificultades interpersonales en la adolescencia : ¿Factor de riesgo de fobia social?

“…En primer lugar, repercuten en el rendimiento académico debido a la escasa participación en clase, a la resistencia a presentar trabajos en público y a la tendencia a evitar preguntar al profesor impidiendo la aclaración de dudas (Beidel, 1991;Francis y Radka, 1995;Lawrence y Bennet, 1992). En segundo lugar, la evitación de las relaciones con los compañeros genera aislamiento y sentimientos de soledad (Inderbitzen, Clark y Solano, 1992;Inderbitzen et al, 1997;Walters e Inderbitzen, 1998), y la correspondiente baja tasa de reforzamiento social origina depresión (Francis, Last y Strauss, 1992). Finalmente, los déficit de habilidades sociales concomitantes conducen a una relación disfuncional con los padres, que impide la comunicación, negociación y resolución de conflictos, efectivas (Openshaw, Mills, Adams y Durso, 1992), y aumenta el riesgo de consumo de drogas legales e ilegales (Clark y Kirisci, 1996;Clark y Sayette, 1993).…”

- The Association Between School Class Composition and Suicidal Ideation in Late Adolescence: Findings From the Young-Hunt 3 Study

“…In line with the findings in research on victimisation, it has been shown that loneliness is related to mental health and adjustment problems [25]. There is strong evidence that loneliness is related to anxiety [26][27][28] and depression [29][30][31], but few studies have reported associations between loneliness and somatic symptoms [1]. Loneliness among children and adolescents has been studied mainly in the school setting, and few researchers have tested initiatives to buffer feelings of loneliness [32][33][34].…”