Prevalence and Predictors of Loneliness Among Youth During the Time of COVID-19: A Multinational Study

Author:

Al Omari Omar1ORCID,Al Sabei Sulaiman2ORCID,Al Rawajfah Omar3,Abu Sharour Loai4,Al-Hashmi Iman5,Al Qadire Mohammad6,Khalaf Atika7

Affiliation:

1. Omar Al Omari, PhD, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman; Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

2. Sulaiman Al Sabei, PhD, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman

3. Omar Al Rawajfah, PhD, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman; Al al-Bayt University, Mafraq, Jordan

4. Loai Abu Sharour, PhD, ALZaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan

5. Iman Al-Hashmi, PhD, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman

6. Mohammad Al Qadire, PhD, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman; Al al-Bayt University, Mafraq, Jordan

7. Atika Khalaf, PhD, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman; Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Given the restrictions associated with COVID-19, feelings of loneliness among youth may increase. AIMS: The aims of the current study were to assess the prevalence of loneliness among young people at the time of COVID-19 and to identify whether selected variables related to the pandemic predicted the level of loneliness. METHOD: A cross-sectional study using WhatsApp and Facebook social media platforms was conducted to survey 1,057 young people aged 15 to 24 years from six Middle Eastern countries. Participants completed survey items including demographic and COVID-19-related questions; the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS); the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS); and the UCLA Loneliness Scale. RESULTS: The prevalence of experienced loneliness was 1 (0.1%), 625 (59.1%), 429 (40.6%), and 2 (0.2%), reflecting low, moderate, moderately high, and high experiences for loneliness, respectively. History of depression or anxiety, being dissatisfied with life, and having depression at the time of COVID-19 were significant predictors of loneliness among youth. The model was significant ( F = 44.95, p < .05) and accounted for 29.8% of the variance in UCLA Loneliness Scale scores. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the high prevalence rate of loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic was correlated with depression and impaired life satisfaction among Middle Eastern youth. Thus, special attention and interventional action plans need to be developed taking into consideration the youths’ special situation during COVID-19.

Funder

Omani research council

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

Pshychiatric Mental Health

Reference5 articles.

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