Feeling alone in pandemic lockdown. Psychological correlates of perceived loneliness in college students before and during the COVID-19 stay-at-home period: A longitudinal study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Loneliness is increasingly acknowledged as a serious public health issue. This longitudinal study aimed to assess the extent to which psychological distress and alexithymia can predict loneliness among Italian college students before and one year after the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: A convenience sample of 177 psychology college students were recruited. Loneliness (UCLA), alexithymia (TAS-20), anxiety symptoms (GAD-7), depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), and somatic symptoms (PHQ-15) were assessed before the COVID-19 outbreak and one year after the spread of COVID-19 worldwide. Results: After controlling for baseline covariation, lonely students showed significantly higher levels of psychological distress and alexithymia over time. Feelings of loneliness one year after pandemic-related, forced stay-at-home were significantly and independently predicted at 41% by depression and alexithymic traits both before and one year after the lockdown period. Conclusions: College students with higher levels of depression and alexithymic traits both before and one year after the lockdown were more at risk of suffering from perceived loneliness and may constitute the target sample for psychological support and intervention.