University of North Carolina at Charlotte, NC, Charlotte, USA.
Modern Health, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Int J Behav Med. 2024 Jun;31(3):468-478. doi: 10.1007/s12529-023-10204-y. Epub 2023 Jul 24.
Loneliness has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic and negatively impacts mental health. This study examined relationships between loneliness and mental health among adults using a digital mental health platform.
A purposive sample of 919 participants (97% response rate) who were newly enrolled in the platform completed a survey on loneliness, depression, anxiety, well-being, stress, social support, and comorbidities at baseline and 3 months. Platform engagement was tracked during this period. We examined baseline differences between lonely and non-lonely participants; associations between loneliness, mental health symptoms, and comorbidities; and changes in loneliness and mental health through engagement in any form of care.
At baseline, 57.8% of the sample were categorized as lonely. Loneliness was associated with younger age, fewer years of education, and the presence of a comorbidity (p values < .05). Baseline loneliness was associated with greater depression, anxiety, and stress and lower well-being and social support (ps < .001). The percentage of lonely participants decreased at follow-up (57.6% to 52.9%, p = .03). Those who improved in loneliness improved in mental health symptoms, well-being, and social support (ps < .001). Lonely participants who engaged in any form of care reported a greater reduction in loneliness than those who did not engage (p = .04).
This study confirms previous findings of the high prevalence of loneliness among adults and risk factors for increased loneliness. Findings highlight the potential of digital platforms to reach lonely individuals and alleviate loneliness through remote mental health support.
自 COVID-19 大流行以来，孤独感有所增加，对心理健康产生负面影响。本研究使用数字心理健康平台，调查了孤独感与成年人心理健康之间的关系。
一项针对新加入平台的 919 名参与者（97%的回复率）的目的性抽样调查，在基线和 3 个月时完成了关于孤独感、抑郁、焦虑、幸福感、压力、社会支持和共病的调查。在此期间，还追踪了平台的参与情况。我们研究了孤独和非孤独参与者之间的基线差异；孤独感与心理健康症状和共病之间的关联；以及通过任何形式的护理参与而发生的孤独感和心理健康的变化。
基线时，57.8%的样本被归类为孤独。孤独与年龄较小、受教育年限较少和共病（p 值均 < .05）有关。基线孤独感与更大的抑郁、焦虑和压力以及较低的幸福感和社会支持有关（p 值均 < .001）。随访时，孤独参与者的比例下降（从 57.6%降至 52.9%，p = .03）。在孤独感改善的患者中，心理健康症状、幸福感和社会支持也得到改善（p 值均 < .001）。与不参与护理的孤独参与者相比，参与任何形式护理的参与者孤独感减轻更为明显（p = .04）。
本研究证实了先前成年人中孤独感高发和孤独感增加的风险因素的研究结果。研究结果强调了数字平台通过远程心理健康支持来接触孤独个体和减轻孤独感的潜力。
