Loneliness in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic: Cross-sectional results from the COVID-19 Psychological Wellbeing Study

被引:521
作者
Groarke, Jenny M. [1 ]
Berry, Emma [1 ]
Graham-Wisener, Lisa [1 ]
McKenna-Plumley, Phoebe E. [1 ]
McGlinchey, Emily [2 ]
Armour, Cherie [1 ,2 ]
机构
[1] Queens Univ Belfast, Ctr Improving Hlth Related Qual Life CIHRQoL, Sch Psychol, Belfast, Antrim, North Ireland
[2] Queens Univ Belfast, Sch Psychol, Stress Trauma & Related Condit STARC Res Lab, Belfast, Antrim, North Ireland
关键词
GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER; COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY; QUESTIONNAIRE F-SOZU; SOCIAL-ISOLATION; MENTAL-HEALTH; OLDER-ADULTS; RISK-FACTORS; BRIEF FORM; QUARANTINE; PHQ-9;
D O I
10.1371/journal.pone.0239698
中图分类号
O [数理科学和化学]; P [天文学、地球科学]; Q [生物科学]; N [自然科学总论];
学科分类号
07 ; 0710 ; 09 ;
摘要
Objectives Loneliness is a significant public health issue. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in lockdown measures limiting social contact. The UK public are worried about the impact of these measures on mental health outcomes. Understanding the prevalence and predictors of loneliness at this time is a priority issue for research. Method The study employed a cross-sectional online survey design. Baseline data collected between March 23rd and April 24th 2020 from UK adults in the COVID-19 Psychological Wellbeing Study were analysed (N = 1964, 18-87 years, M = 37.11, SD = 12.86, 70% female). Logistic regression analysis examined the influence of sociodemographic, social, health and COVID-19 specific factors on loneliness. Results The prevalence of loneliness was 27% (530/1964). Risk factors for loneliness were younger age group (OR: 4.67-5.31), being separated or divorced (OR: 2.29), scores meeting clinical criteria for depression (OR: 1.74), greater emotion regulation difficulties (OR: 1.04), and poor quality sleep due to the COVID-19 crisis (OR: 1.30). Higher levels of social support (OR: 0.92), being married/co-habiting (OR: 0.35) and living with a greater number of adults (OR: 0.87) were protective factors. Conclusions Rates of loneliness during the initial phase of lockdown were high. Risk factors were not specific to the COVID-19 crisis. Findings suggest that supportive interventions to reduce loneliness should prioritise younger people and those with mental health symptoms. Improving emotion regulation and sleep quality, and increasing social support may be optimal initial targets to reduce the impact of COVID-19 regulations on mental health outcomes.
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页数:18
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