Background Loneliness is a growing public health concern, yet little is known about loneliness in young people. The current study aimed to identify social ecological factors related to loneliness and examine the extent to which geographic region may account for differences in loneliness. Methods The data come from a cross-sectional sample of 6503 young people living in the UK. Loneliness was measured using the UCLA 3-item scale. Bivariate analyses were used to test associations between each predictor and loneliness. Multilevel models were used to identify key social ecological factors related to loneliness, and the extent to which loneliness may vary across geographic regions (local authority districts). Results Sociodemographic, social, health and well-being, and community factors were found to be associated with loneliness. Geographic region was associated with 5–8% of the variation in loneliness. The effect of gender, sexual orientation and minority ethnic background on loneliness differed across regions. Conclusions This is the first study to highlight modifiable social and community factors related to youth loneliness, and individual vulnerabilities, such as poor mental well-being. Results related to geographic differences suggest that local-level initiatives may be most appropriate in tackling loneliness, rather than wider, less contextualized national efforts.

Introduction Loneliness is prevalent among young people. But, there is little work exploring the association between loneliness with well‐being among this age group. Framed by social‐ecological theory, we examined demographic, interpersonal, and community factors associated with personal wellbeing and, critically, identified malleable moderators of the relationship between loneliness and well‐being that could be targeted in intervention efforts. Methods We used cross‐sectional, secondary data from 965 young people (aged 16–24) from the Community Life Survey in England. Loneliness was measured using a single‐item direct measure; personal wellbeing was measured through a composite measure containing items assessing happiness, life satisfaction, and a sense that life is worthwhile (α = 0.88). Regression techniques were used to assess associations between individual, interpersonal, and community factors and well‐being, and to identify moderators of the relationship between loneliness and well‐being. Results Loneliness was negatively associated with well‐being. Chatting with neighbors and having people to provide help moderated the relationship between loneliness and well‐being. Full‐time students and those with good physical health had higher well‐being while being a carer was predictive of lower well‐being. All community variables were strongly associated with increased well‐being. Of all interpersonal variables investigated, only having people to count on was associated with increased well‐being. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that supportive relationships and close community ties are important for reducing the negative impact of loneliness on youth well‐being. Interventions to improve well‐being could benefit from targeting these aspects of young people's social and community lives, while acknowledging individual vulnerabilities, such as poor physical health.