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Loneliness and Its Associated Factors Nine Months after the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Cross-National Study

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  • Tore Bonsaksen

    (Department of Health and Nursing Science, Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, 2418 Elverum, Norway
    Faculty of Health Studies, VID Specialized University, 4306 Sandnes, Norway)

  • Mariyana Schoultz

    (Department of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK)

  • Hilde Thygesen

    (Faculty of Health Studies, VID Specialized University, 4306 Sandnes, Norway
    Department of Occupational Therapy, Prosthetics and Orthotics, Faculty of Health Science, Oslo Metropolitan University, 0130 Oslo, Norway)

  • Mary Ruffolo

    (School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA)

  • Daicia Price

    (School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA)

  • Janni Leung

    (Faculty of Health and Behavioural Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia)

  • Amy Østertun Geirdal

    (Department of Social Work, Faculty of Social Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, 0130 Oslo, Norway)

Abstract

COVID-19 has been a global healthcare concern impacting multiple aspects of individual and community wellness. As one moves forward with different methods to reduce the infection and mortality rates, it is critical to continue to study the impact that national and local “social distancing” policies have on the daily lives of individuals. The aim of this study was to examine loneliness in relation to risk assessment, measures taken against risks, concerns, and social media use, while adjusting for sociodemographic variables. The cross-sectional study collected data from 3474 individuals from the USA, the UK, Norway, and Australia. Loneliness was measured with the de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Multiple linear regression was used in the analysis of associations between variables. The results showed that concerns about finances were more strongly associated with social loneliness, while concerns about the future was more strongly associated with emotional loneliness. Longer daily time spent on social media was associated with higher emotional loneliness. In conclusion, pandemic-related concerns seem to affect perceptions of loneliness. While social media can be used productively to maintain relationships, and thereby prevent loneliness, excessive use may be counterproductive.

Suggested Citation

  • Tore Bonsaksen & Mariyana Schoultz & Hilde Thygesen & Mary Ruffolo & Daicia Price & Janni Leung & Amy Østertun Geirdal, 2021. "Loneliness and Its Associated Factors Nine Months after the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Cross-National Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:2841-:d:514679
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tore Bonsaksen & Trond Heir & Inger Schou-Bredal & Øivind Ekeberg & Laila Skogstad & Tine K. Grimholt, 2020. "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Associated Factors during the Early Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Norway," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Astrid Kemperman & Pauline van den Berg & Minou Weijs-Perrée & Kevin Uijtdewillegen, 2019. "Loneliness of Older Adults: Social Network and the Living Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Barbara Barbosa Neves & Fausto Amaro & Jaime R. S. Fonseca, 2013. "Coming of (Old) Age in the Digital Age: ICT Usage and Non-Usage among Older Adults," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 18(2), pages 22-35, May.
    4. Elena Rolandi & Roberta Vaccaro & Simona Abbondanza & Georgia Casanova & Laura Pettinato & Mauro Colombo & Antonio Guaita, 2020. "Loneliness and Social Engagement in Older Adults Based in Lombardy during the COVID-19 Lockdown: The Long-Term Effects of a Course on Social Networking Sites Use," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-12, October.
    5. Tetsuya Yamamoto & Chigusa Uchiumi & Naho Suzuki & Junichiro Yoshimoto & Eric Murillo-Rodriguez, 2020. "The Psychological Impact of ‘Mild Lockdown’ in Japan during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Nationwide Survey under a Declared State of Emergency," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-19, December.
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    1. Baarck, Julia & d'Hombres, Béatrice & Tintori, Guido, 2022. "Loneliness in Europe before and during the COVID-19 pandemic," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 126(11), pages 1124-1129.
    2. Barjaková, Martina & Garnero, Andrea & d’Hombres, Béatrice, 2023. "Risk factors for loneliness: A literature review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 334(C).
    3. Rachelle Meisters & Polina Putrik & Daan Westra & Hans Bosma & Dirk Ruwaard & Maria Jansen, 2021. "Is Loneliness an Undervalued Pathway between Socio-Economic Disadvantage and Health?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-13, September.
    4. Moira Mckniff & Stephanie M. Simone & Tania Giovannetti, 2023. "Age, Loneliness, and Social Media Use in Adults during COVID-19: A Latent Profile Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-12, May.

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