Är tillfällig ensamhet associerad med fysiska hälsosymptom hos unga vuxna? : En longitudinell dagboksstudie som utforskar dimensioner av ensamhet
Year: 2025
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Loneliness, which is associated with physical health symptoms and all-cause mortality, has been increasing among young adults in recent years. This study examined whether state loneliness, defined as momentary experiences of loneliness, is associated with a higher number of physical health symptoms in young adults, while exploring different dimensions of loneliness. We used the experience sampling method to collect data. A convenience sample of 138 single participants aged 18–34, completed daily diary surveys on their mobile devices for up to 120 days (median: 80 days). I analysed the data using a multilevel Poisson regression model to separate between- and within-person associations. Results showed that satisfaction with the amount of social interaction was significantly associated with a decreased risk of reporting physical health symptoms at the within-person level, but not at the between-person level. On days when participants felt more satisfied than usual with the amount of their social interactions, they had a decreased risk of reporting physical health symptoms on that day, and vice versa. Two other loneliness items showed no significant associations at either the within-person or between-person level. The findings suggest that individual fluctuations in loneliness have a greater impact on physical health than differences in loneliness between individuals. Moreover, these findings suggest that different loneliness items may capture distinct dimensions of loneliness relevant to physical health symptoms in young adults. As this is the first study that examined loneliness and physical health symptoms in this age group, replication is needed.
Source: Doria (University of Helsinki)
Author: Lehtinen, Minea
Institution: Åbo Akademi University
Language: English
Subfield: Health
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7115410021