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Cited by 256Health disparities and outcomesStudent Stress and CopingCOVID-19 and Mental Health

Relationship between loneliness and mental health in students

Open access
Richardson, Thomas, Elliott, Peter, Roberts, Ron·2017·Journal of Public Mental Health
DOI 10.1108/jpmh-03-2016-0013
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Abstract

Purpose: Previous cross-sectional research has examined the effect of loneliness on mental health. The purpose of this paper is to examine longitudinal relationships in students. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 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. Social implications: Universities should consider organising social activities to mitigate feelings of loneliness in students. 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.

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Authors
Richardson, T., Elliott, P., & Roberts, R.
Affiliations
  • Solent NHS Trust (GB)
  • University of Southampton (GB)
  • Kingston University London (GB)
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Public Mental Health
Publisher
Emerald
Published
2017-06-19
Volume
16
Issue
2
Pages
48-54
ISSN
1746-5729 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1108/jpmh-03-2016-0013
OpenAlex
W2612347652
Cited by
256
References
33
Citations by year
2026: 30 · 2025: 41 · 2024: 36 · 2023: 37 · 2022: 50 · 2021: 30 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1
FWCI
9.73
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.emerald.com/insight/site-policies (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of Public Mental Health (publishedVersion)
  • ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (submittedVersion)
  • Research Repository (Kingston University London) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Student Stress and Coping
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
Keywords
loneliness, mental health, university students, anxiety, stress, depression, eating disorders, alcohol problems, bidirectional relationship

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