The Relationship Between Adolescents’ Attitudes Toward Their Fathers and Loneliness: A Cross-Cultural Study

Abstract

Loneliness can be regarded as an epidemic of modern society that is becoming increasingly problematic for millions of people. Adolescents are particularly susceptible to the development of this kind of emotional distress. Although many causes of loneliness can be identified, some researchers are of the opinion that it can also be attributed to unpleasant childhood experiences that result in unfulfilled needs relating to intimacy. In this research study, the relationship between loneliness and adolescents' attitudes towards their fathers was investigated. In order to achieve this goal, information was gathered from 1068 South African respondents. Biographical questionnaires were administered and a Loneliness Scale was applied. In addition, adolescents' attitudes towards their fathers were measured by means of a Fathers Questionnaire. Steps were taken to determine which of the independent variables, namely gender, age, race, language and socio-economic status, contributed significantly to the prediction of loneliness. In order to process the acquired information, a stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted. The most important finding of this study is that adolescents' attitudes towards their fathers comprise the most prominent predictor of loneliness during adolescence. The results also indicated that all of the independent variables had a statistically significant influence on loneliness.

Parent–adolescent relationships and social adjustment: The case of a collectivistic culture

“…A meta‐analysis of loneliness in adolescence found that low levels of social support and parental expressiveness predicted loneliness in adolescence with a medium to large‐medium effect size (Mahon, Yarcheski, Yarcheski, Cannella, & Hanks, 2006). Other aspects of parental relationships associated with lower levels of loneliness include parental acceptance (Lim & Smith, 2008; Richaud de Minzi, 2006), maternal reliance and availability (Richaud de Minzi, 2006), and secure attachment (Kerns & Stevens, 1996). In contrast, high levels of leniency (Lim & Smith, 2008), parental over‐protection (Jackson, 2007), paternal pathological control (Richaud de Minzi, 2006), and a negative attitude toward one's father (Le Roux, 2009) relate to greater loneliness.…”

“…Other aspects of parental relationships associated with lower levels of loneliness include parental acceptance (Lim & Smith, 2008; Richaud de Minzi, 2006), maternal reliance and availability (Richaud de Minzi, 2006), and secure attachment (Kerns & Stevens, 1996). In contrast, high levels of leniency (Lim & Smith, 2008), parental over‐protection (Jackson, 2007), paternal pathological control (Richaud de Minzi, 2006), and a negative attitude toward one's father (Le Roux, 2009) relate to greater loneliness. Lastly, extreme parental autonomy was associated with affinity for aloneness, and paternal pathological control was related to aversion to aloneness (Richaud de Minzi, 2006).…”

The Role of Gender, Attachment Dimensions, and Family Environment on Loneliness Among Turkish University Students

“…Therefore, loneliness can be linked to individual factors as well as cultural factors (Le Roux, 2009;Seepersad, Choi, & Shin, 2008). Medora, Woodward, and Larson (1987) stated that the culture and family in which an individual develops are among the important factors affecting the individual's experience of loneliness.…”

Associations among shyness, interpersonal relationships, and loneliness in college freshmen: A longitudinal cross‐lagged analysis

“…This result is consistent with previous studies about shyness (Leck, ; Neto & Mullet, ; Xu, Farver & Shin, ; Zhao et al ., ), interpersonal relationships (Leck, ), and loneliness (Corsano et al ., ; Goossens & Marcoen, ; Xu et al ., ). However, some studies have found gender variations for shyness (Karevold et al ., ), interpersonal relationships (Xu et al ., ), and loneliness (Le Roux, ; Scharf et al ., ). The explanation for these inconsistent findings is that the participants varied in age.…”

“…Previous have suggested the gender differences in shyness, interpersonal relationships and loneliness (Tian, Guo, Shi et al ., ; Tian, Y., Si, Y., Meng et al ., ). For example, some studies have found that the loneliness effect is more characteristic of girls than boys (Corsano, Majorano & Champretavy, ; Goossens & Marcoen, ), however, the results have been mixed (loneliness effect is more characteristic of boys than girls; Le Roux, ; Scharf, Wiseman & Farah, ). These mixed results may be caused by the different samples with different age.…”