Self-focus, other-focus, and interpersonal needs as correlates of loneliness.
Residential college students (44 men, 51 women) participated in a questionnaire study to clarify the relationship between loneliness, self- or other-focus, and interpersonal needs. Contrary to predictions, loneliness was unrelated to self-focus, other-focus, or the ability to elicit disclosure from others. However, sex differences were found on interpersonal needs. Specifically, loneliness in men was predicted by a lack of expressed inclusion and a desire for control from others, while loneliness in women was predicted by a lack of expressed affection. These findings suggest that lonely men and women may benefit from different intervention strategies. Outcome studies are needed to ensure that such interventions actually reduce loneliness.
Green
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VA
Department of Early Childhood, Queensland University of Technology, Australia.
Wildermuth
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NL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004532:Ego; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008132:Loneliness; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012737:Sex Factors; D012928:Social Desirability; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires