title: Trajectories of loneliness during childhood and adolescence: predictors and health outcomes.
abstract: The present study employed latent growth mixture modeling to discern distinct trajectories of loneliness using data collected at 2-year intervals from age 7-17 years (N = 586) and examine whether measures taken at age 5 years were good predictors of group membership. Four loneliness trajectory classes were identified: (1) low stable (37% of the sample), (2) moderate decliners (23%), (3) moderate increasers (18%), and (4) relatively high stable (22%). Predictors at age 5 years for the high stable trajectory were low trust beliefs, low trusting, low peer acceptance, parent reported negative reactivity, an internalizing attribution style, low self-worth, and passivity during observed play. The model also included outcome variables. We found that both the high stable and moderate increasing trajectories were associated with depressive symptoms, a higher frequency of visits to the doctor, and lower perceived general health at age 17. We discuss implications of findings for future empirical work.
authors: University of Central Lancashire, Lancashire, England, UK. Electronic address: PQualter@uclan.ac.uk.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Qualter
authors: S L
authors: SL
authors: Brown
authors: K J
authors: KJ
authors: Rotenberg
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Vanhalst
authors: R A
authors: RA
authors: Harris
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Goossens
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Bangee
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Munn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013694:Temperament
keywords: Attribution; Health; Latent growth mixture modeling; Loneliness; Self-worth; Sociability; Social acceptance; Temperament; Trajectories; Trust beliefs