Modeling multivariate associations with parental loneliness via perceived closeness and support

Abstract

Objectives: Recent research findings suggest the prevalence of loneliness is increasing in middle-aged adults parenting children, challenging the notion this demographic is typically at low risk of loneliness. Method: The current study applied the cognitive discrepancy model as theoretical foundation to investigate the variance of individual and situational variables contributing to perceived closeness and support and consequently loneliness. Structural equation modeling was employed to identify multivariate contributors associated with parental loneliness in 323 parents with an average age of 37.69 ( SD = 5.96) years. Results: Results support the theoretical proposition that individual factors, rather than situational, contribute to a greater variance of a perceived gap in relationship closeness and support. It was found that emotional competence, ability to forgive, emotional stability, extraversion, and lower mood levels are significant contributors to a small cognitive gap in perceived relationship closeness and protective against parental loneliness. Relationship status contributed a weak direct effect over perceived relationship closeness and support. Situational factors, including number of children and household income, were non-significant risks for loneliness. Overall, the model accounted for 65% of perceived relationship closeness and support and 85% of loneliness. The limitation of small number of male participants is discussed with regard to the existing research gap investigating male loneliness. Conclusion: A Pathway to Loneliness Risk Model is proposed, demonstrating that through increasing an individual’s intrapersonal and interpersonal resources and challenging negative cognitive biases and maladaptive schemas regarding an individual’s perception of their relationships, may lead to a reduction in the individual’s risk for loneliness.