Predictors and consequences of loneliness during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Psychiatry Res. 2021 Jun:300:113934. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113934. Epub 2021 Apr 18.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global context in which social isolation has become normative in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. As a result of social distancing policies, the risk for loneliness and associated decline in quality of life has increased. The current study examined factors associated with loneliness and quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic cross-sectionally (n = 797) and longitudinally (n = 395). Older age and larger social network size were associated with less loneliness, whereas having multiple physical or mental health diagnoses was associated with greater loneliness. Greater virtual social contact was also associated with increased loneliness. Greater loneliness was associated with all domains of quality of life both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Understanding factors associated with loneliness is critical to developing effective strategies at reducing loneliness and improving quality of life during the pandemic. Contrary to popular perceptions, older age was associated with less loneliness and more virtual social contact was associated with more loneliness. Thus, it may be prudent to deemphasize virtual social contact in public campaigns and to emphasize safe methods of interacting in person.

Keywords: COVID-19; Loneliness; Quality of life; Social contact.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • COVID-19 / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Loneliness / psychology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics
  • Physical Distancing*
  • Quality of Life / psychology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Social Isolation / psychology*
  • Young Adult