Adverse adolescence experiences, feeling lonely across life stages and loneliness in adulthood

Abstract

Background/Objective Loneliness is a mental health issue emerging over the life course. This study examines the latent structure of adult loneliness in a non-Western society and its association with adverse adolescence experiences (AAEs) as well as feeling lonely during middle school, high school, and college. Method: A cohort sample living in Northern Taiwan ( N = 2,289) was analyzed from adolescence to adulthood. The de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale operationalized loneliness by a three-cluster model to present the latent structure of loneliness: emotional, serious emotional, and severe emotional/social loners. AAEs (e.g., abuse, neglect, and dysfunctional family) were measured by seven items. Multivariate multinomial logistic regression models were used to explore the longitudinal effects of AAEs and feeling lonely reported during middle school, high school, and college on adult loneliness. Results: AAEs and feeling lonely during adolescence were significantly associated with serious emotional loneliness and severe emotional/social loneliness during adulthood, even after adjusting for the individual’s characteristics. Attendance at a 4-year college was associated with decreased odds of serious emotional loneliness and severe emotional/social loneliness. Conclusions: Adults with AAEs and feelings of loneliness over life stages are more likely to report loneliness in the emotional and social domains.

Student burnout and engagement: Relationship with adolescent use of alcohol and attitudes towards authority

“…Adolescence is a period of transition to adulthood characterized by a multitude of biological, cognitive, emotional and physical changes ( Wang et al, 2018 , Lin and Chiao, 2020 ). Schools are fundamental at this stage, since the school context influences the intellectual, social and emotional development of adolescents, however, it can be accompanied by academic and psychological adjustment problems ( Eccles & Roeser, 2011 ).…”

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“…In scientific research, loneliness is often interpreted as a pathological painful condition. Preference is given to studying this phenomenon at certain age periods (Lin & Chiao, 2020;Dumont et al, 1990) or in selected socio-demographic groups (Pitman et al, 2018). It is believed that a fairly large number of young people feel 2.9 ± 0.9 3.0; 2-3; 2.8 ± 0.9 220.9; < .001 3 There is no one I can turn to 2.0; 1-2; 1.8 ± 0.89 2.0; 1-2; 1.9 ± 0.92 2.0; 1-2; 1.8 ± 0.89 1.0; 1-2; 1.9 ± 0.9 1.5; 1-2; 1.8 ± 0.9 2.0; 1-2; 1,0; 1-2; 1,5 ± 0,74 1,0; 1-2; 1,7 ± 0,85 2,0; 1-2; 1,7 ± 0,88 1,0; 1-2; 1,6 ± 0,8 1,0; 1-2; 1,6 ± 0,9 1,0; 1-2; 1,6 ± 0,8 29,5; < .001 6* I have a lot in common with the people around me lonely, so they seek recognition and acceptance in a peer group.…”

The Prevalence of Loneliness among University Students from Five European Countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…In scientific research, loneliness is often interpreted as a pathological painful condition. Preference is given to studying this phenomenon at certain age periods (Lin & Chiao, 2020;Dumont et al, 1990) or in selected socio-demographic groups (Pitman et al, 2018). It is believed that a fairly large number of young people feel 2.9 ± 0.9 3.0; 2-3; 2.8 ± 0.9 220.9; < .001 3 There is no one I can turn to 2.0; 1-2; 1.8 ± 0.89 2.0; 1-2; 1.9 ± 0.92 2.0; 1-2; 1.8 ± 0.89 1.0; 1-2; 1.9 ± 0.9 1.5; 1-2; 1.8 ± 0.9 2.0; 1-2; 1.8 ± 0.9 > .05 1,0; 1-2; 1,5 ± 0,74 1,0; 1-2; 1,7 ± 0,85 2,0; 1-2; 1,7 ± 0,88 1,0; 1-2; 1,6 ± 0,8 1,0; 1-2; 1,6 ± 0,9 1,0; 1-2; 1,6 ± 0,8 29,5; < .001 6* I have a lot in common with the people around me 1,0; 1-2; 1.6 ± 0.74 2.0; 1-2; 1.8 ± 0.80 2.0; 1-2; 1.8 ± 0.78 2.0; 1-2; 1.8 ± 0.7 1.5; 1-2; 1.7 ± 0.8 2.0; 1-2; 1.7 ± 0.8 19.4; < .001 7 I am no longer close to anyone 1.0; 1-2; 1.7 ± 0.86 1.0; 1-2; 1.7 ± 0.96 1.0; 1-2; 1.7 ± 0.96 1.0; 1-2; 1.7 ± 0.8 1.0; 1-2; 1.7 ± 0.9 1.0; 1-2; 1.7 ± 0.9 > .05 8…”