An evaluation of de Jong-Giervald's loneliness model with Australian adolescents

Predictors of male loneliness across life stages: an Australian study of longitudinal data

BACKGROUND

Despite growing recognition of loneliness as a global public health concern, research on its occurrence and precipitants among men across different life stages remains limited and inconclusive. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the prevalence and predictors of loneliness among a large, representative data set of Australian adult men.

METHODS

The study used longitudinal data from waves 2-21 of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, including men aged 15-98. Estimating linear fixed effects regressions that account for unobserved time-invariant individual heterogeneity, a single-item measure of loneliness was regressed on a set of selected explanatory variables over different parts of the life course.

RESULTS

Increased social isolation, romantic partnership dissolution, having a long-term disability, and stronger beliefs that the man, rather than the woman, should be the breadwinner of the household, are associated with greater loneliness. Frequent social connection, having a romantic partner, and high neighbourhood satisfaction are protective against loneliness. The findings also reveal several differences in the predictors of loneliness over the life course. Job security is especially important for younger men, whereas for older men volunteering and less conservative gender role attitudes are important factors that can decrease loneliness.

CONCLUSIONS

The results emphasise the need to consider age-specific factors and societal expectations in understanding and addressing loneliness amongst men. Additionally, the findings underscore the importance of raising awareness about the impact of societal norms and expectations on men's mental health. The results offer valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare providers, and researchers to develop effective strategies and support systems to combat loneliness and promote well-being among men.

Loneliness in Adults on the Autism Spectrum

Background

Loneliness is associated with adverse psychological and physical outcomes. However, little is known about the factors contributing to loneliness in autistic adults. This study aimed to quantitatively compare levels and predictors of loneliness in autistic and nonautistic adults, and then contextualize these findings by thematically analyzing responses to open-ended questions on autistic adults' socialization experiences.

Methods

We obtained data from the Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC) Australian Longitudinal Study of Adults with Autism (ALSAA). The sample comprised 220 autistic adults (age mean [M] = 41.9 years, standard deviation [SD] = 12.24) and 146 nonautistic adults (age M = 43.7 years, SD = 13.49). We measured loneliness with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) loneliness scale (ULS-8). We compared the findings between these two groups of adults. Through regression models, we investigated associations between loneliness and demographics, autistic traits, social support, depression, anxiety, and self-efficacy. We adapted these determinants from De Jong-Gierveld's model of loneliness. In addition, we conducted an inductive thematic analysis of autistic participants' open-ended responses about their socialization. We used an inclusive approach utilizing an advisory panel of autistic adults in study design and interpretations.

Results

Autistic adults scored significantly higher on the ULS-8 than nonautistic adults (p < 0.001). The presence of autism contributed the greatest variance in the loneliness score (B = 8.11, 95% confidence interval [6.98-9.23], p < 0.001, R ² = 0.38). The autism quotient subdomains of social skills and dissatisfaction with social support were associated with greater loneliness in both autistic and nonautistic groups (p < 0.05). The thematic analysis contextualized the interpretation of quantitative findings, specifically regarding perceived loneliness and difficulties with social interaction. Satisfaction and perceptions of socialization were widely variable and both of which were shaped by experiences. Environmental factors, noise in particular, as well as social communication difficulties and past negative experiences seemed to be the barriers to socialization.

Conclusions

Autistic adults have reported higher levels of loneliness. Variables associated with loneliness in both groups were dissatisfaction with social support and the autism quotient subdomain of social skills. The subjectivity of perceived loneliness, views about socialization, and their implications for social support in autistic adults warrant further study.