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

Tore Bonsaksen, Mariyana Schoultz, Hilde Thygesen, Mary Ruffolo, Daicia Price, Janni Leung and Amy Østertun Geirdal
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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
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
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

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-11

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.

Keywords: concerns; coronavirus; cross-national study; pandemic; social distancing; social media (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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