Relationship between loneliness and mental health in students.

This study aimed to examine longitudinal relationships in students. . Design/methodology/approach 454 British undergraduate students completed measures of loneliness and mental health at four time points. Findings After controlling for demographics and baseline mental health, greater loneliness predicted greater anxiety, stress, depression and general mental health over time. There was no evidence that mental health problems increased loneliness over time. There was no relationship with alcohol problems. Baseline loneliness predicted greater eating disorder risk at follow-up and vice versa. Research limitations/implications This study is limited by a relatively small and heavily female sample. Practical implications Social and psychological interventions to reduce loneliness in university settings may improve mental health. Originality/value This study adds to the literature as a longitudinal analysis showing that loneliness exacerbates poor mental health over time. This also adds to the literature for students specifically, and suggests a possible bi-directional relationship between eating disorders and loneliness for the first time.
Source: Journal of Public Mental Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research