Abstract
Purpose
Previous cross-sectional research has examined the effect of loneliness on mental health. The purpose of this paper is to examine longitudinal relationships in students.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 454 British undergraduate students completed measures of loneliness and mental health at four time points.
Findings
After controlling for demographics and baseline mental health, greater loneliness predicted greater anxiety, stress, depression and general mental health over time. There was no evidence that mental health problems increased loneliness over time. There was no relationship with alcohol problems. Baseline loneliness predicted greater eating disorder risk at follow-up and vice versa.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited by a relatively small and heavily female sample.
Practical implications
Social and psychological interventions to reduce loneliness in university settings may improve mental health.
Social implications
Universities should consider organising social activities to mitigate feelings of loneliness in students.
Originality/value
This study adds to the literature as a longitudinal analysis showing that loneliness exacerbates poor mental health over time. This also adds to the literature for students specifically, and suggests a possible bi-directional relationship between eating disorders and loneliness for the first time.
Subject
Psychiatry and Mental health,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Cited by
125 articles.
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