Predictors of chronic loneliness during adolescence: a population-based cohort study

Abstract

Background Adolescent loneliness is a growing public health issue owing to its adverse health impact. Although adolescent loneliness is common, its trajectories can show distinct patterns over time. However, there is limited knowledge regarding their determinants, particularly for chronic loneliness. We aimed to determine the predictors of loneliness trajectories across early-to-mid adolescence and examine their association with later suicidality. Methods Data were collected from 3165 participants from the population-based Tokyo Teen Cohort. Participants reported their loneliness at 10, 12, 14, and 16 years. Loneliness trajectories were identified using latent class growth analysis. We examined the predictive role of bullying victimization and parental psychological distress at age 10 via a multinomial logistic regression. Sociodemographic and child-related factors (i.e., chronic health conditions and cognitive delay) were included as covariates. The association between the trajectories, self-harm, and suicidal ideation by age 16 was investigated using Poisson regression. Results Four trajectories were identified: “consistently low” (2448, 77.3%), “moderate–decreasing” (185, 5.8%), “moderate–increasing” (508, 16.1%), and “consistently high” (24, 0.8%). Taking “consistently low” as a reference, experiences of bullying victimization predicted all the remaining trajectories [adjusted relative risk ratio 1.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18–2.28 for “moderate–decreasing,” 1.88, 1.52–2.33 for “moderate–increasing,” and 4.57, 1.97–10.59 for “consistently high”]. Parental psychological distress predicted the “moderate–increasing” (1.84, 1.25–2.71) and “consistently high” (5.07, 1.78–14.42) trajectories. The “consistently high” trajectory showed the greatest risk for self-harm and suicidal ideation (adjusted relative risk ratio 6.01, 95% CI 4.40–8.22; 2.48, 1.82–3.37, respectively); however, the “moderate–increasing” and “moderate–decreasing” trajectories were also at increased risk (moderate–increasing: 2.71, 2.23–3.30 for self-harm, 1.93, 1.69–2.19 for suicidal ideation; moderate–decreasing: 2.49, 1.91–3.26 for self-harm, 1.59, 1.33–1.91 for suicidal ideation). Conclusions Bullying victimization and parental psychological distress at age 10 were independent determinants of increased and chronic loneliness trajectories across early-to-mid adolescence. Compared with “consistently low,” all other loneliness trajectories were associated with an increased risk of adolescent suicidality. Interventions targeting adolescent loneliness should include approaches to mitigate bullying and parental psychological distress. These strategies may help prevent adolescent suicidality.

Loneliness during the last phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in China: Trajectories, predictors, and impact on adolescent mental health

“…However, chronic loneliness poses potential risks due to its tendency to create a self-reinforcing loneliness loop where lonely persons become increasingly distrustful of others and anticipate negative relationships, and as a result, they would prefer to avoid future social interactions [42]. Our results are also consistent with existing studies about loneliness trajectories which found that both high and medium trajectories were at increased risk for depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal ideation [19,43]. All these ndings indicate that adolescents who experience chronic loneliness at any degree, not limited to those with high level of loneliness, may bene t from strategies aimed at decreasing loneliness.…”

“…Regular training sessions for teachers and support staff in school would also bring bene t to students as teachers play important role in improving adolescent mental well-being. Apart from common mental health problems, adolescent loneliness should be monitored continuously in school, and timely support should be offered to those who report loneliness, particularly chronic loneliness [43]. Our results of the predictors of loneliness trajectories suggest that strategies to improve physical activity, social support, mental health literacy, and assist students with poor academic performance may help reduce their loneliness.…”

Is children's mental health an important function of newly national organization for health crisis management in Japan?

“…As we have discussed, all individuals, from children to adults, who have not previously had mental health issues, may face challenges with the spread of COVID‐19. Like previous discussions about children's lives in other countries, problems related to depression, anxiety, game addiction, and eating behavior have been noted in Japan 20–24 . However, there is no national center like the CDC to oversee and disseminate information on children's mental health during a pandemic.…”

Increasing loneliness among children and adolescents from 2018 to 2022: A representative survey before and after the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Other studies found no gender-speci c differences [32] or slightly greater levels of loneliness in boys [33]. Regarding the age group, numerous studies detected higher loneliness among older adolescents [26,31], while other studies identi ed a higher prevalence in younger students [25,34]. Furthermore, students with lower socioeconomic status have a higher prevalence of loneliness [26,27,31].…”