Loneliness over time: The crucial role of social anxiety
Journal article
Lim, Michelle H., Rodebaugh, Thomas L., Zyphur, Michael J. and Gleeson, John Francis Martin. (2016). Loneliness over time: The crucial role of social anxiety. Journal of Abnormal Psychology. 125(5), pp. 620 - 630. https://doi.org/10.1037/abn0000162
Authors | Lim, Michelle H., Rodebaugh, Thomas L., Zyphur, Michael J. and Gleeson, John Francis Martin |
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Abstract | Loneliness is known to be associated with multiple adverse physical outcomes, including higher mortality and morbidity risk. However, the impact of loneliness on mental health is less well researched, with most studies assessing how loneliness relates to depressive symptoms alone. We hypothesized that 2 mental health symptoms that relate to the fear of others—social anxiety and paranoia—would contribute to loneliness. We examined how loneliness relates to social anxiety, paranoia, and depression symptoms in a general community sample aged 18–87 years old (N = 1,010). We administered online measures over 3 time points across a 6-month period. In a cross-lagged structural equation model controlling for trait levels and prior states, our results indicated that earlier loneliness positively predicted future states of social anxiety, paranoia, and depression. However, in the same model, earlier social anxiety was the only predictor of future loneliness. These results suggest that loneliness may be a potential antecedent to emerging mental health symptoms and that identifying and treating co-occurring social anxiety symptoms may reduce the severity of loneliness. |
Keywords | loneliness; paranoia; depression; longitudinal; social anxiety |
Year | 2016 |
Journal | Journal of Abnormal Psychology |
Journal citation | 125 (5), pp. 620 - 630 |
Publisher | American Psychological Association Inc. |
ISSN | 0021-843X |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1037/abn0000162 |
Page range | 620 - 630 |
Publisher's version | File Access Level Controlled |
Place of publication | United States of America |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8qvz5/loneliness-over-time-the-crucial-role-of-social-anxiety
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