Understanding loneliness: The roles of self- and interpersonal dysfunction and early parental indifference

Abstract

Many factors are implicated in developing and maintaining loneliness, including aspects of personality functioning and experience of early adverse childhood events. This study aimed to examine the relationship between domains of personality dysfunction, including self- and interpersonal functioning, and loneliness and determine whether such personality factors mediate the relationship between childhood parental indifference and loneliness. In total, 393 community-dwelling adults, mean age 34.3 (SD = 12.67), were recruited online for cross-sectional assessment of loneliness, personality functioning, big-five personality traits and perceived childhood parental indifference. Linear regression analyses were conducted followed by a parallel mediation model. Self- and interpersonal dysfunction were positively associated with loneliness and remained significant predictors of loneliness after controlling for five-factor personality traits. Impaired personality functioning accounted for 12% of loneliness variance. Finally, self-dysfunction mediated the relationship between childhood parental indifference and loneliness. Findings emphasize the importance of addressing personality functioning when developing psychosocial interventions aimed at tackling loneliness.