Search Results (4)

Loneliness is a common subjective condition that is associated with distress and negative outcomes for psychosocial functioning and well-being, and it is grounded in destructive or inadequate social functioning. Social interactions are considered one of the key factors determining loneliness, and similarly to social interactions, loneliness can occur in different domains. While a solid body of research is focused on loneliness as a general condition, there are few studies that investigate loneliness from a multidimensional perspective, particularly combining general and domain-specific loneliness. In the present study, we conceptualized loneliness as a complex phenomenon. We focused on the associations between different types of loneliness and the characteristics of social environments. The participants were 140 adults aged 45–73 (58.9% females). The methods involved the Multidimensional Inventory of Loneliness Experience, the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale (SELSA-S), the “Sociotropy—Self-Sufficiency” Questionnaire, and the assessment of demographic characteristics (age and sex). To test our hypothesis, we applied regression path modeling. The results showed that general loneliness predicted both family and non-family loneliness. We also found that general loneliness increased experiences of social uncertainty, while non-family loneliness decreased positive relations with others. No age effects were found. An effect of sex was found for social uncertainty and positive relations with others. Full article

Loneliness is one of the most widespread conditions that affect one’s physical and mental health. Loneliness is found in all populations despite age, gender, ethnicity, religion, or socio-economic status. It is related to the quality and availability of social interactions and can be expressed in different social domains. While the negative effects of loneliness are well-established, mechanisms and moderators of loneliness still need more examination. In the present study, we approached loneliness from a multidimensional perspective. We focused on associations between sociotropy and different types of loneliness—family and non-family. Participants were 157 adults aged 35–55, 55% females. Methods were the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale (SELSA-S), “Sociotropy—Self-Sufficiency” Questionnaire, and Psychological well-being scale (scales of Autonomy and Personal growth). To test moderation effects, we applied Hayes Process v.4 (models 1–3). Results confirmed that sociotropy predicted loneliness, both family and non-family, and autonomy and personal growth moderated this effect. We found two different moderation mechanisms for family and non-family loneliness: parallel negative moderation affected sociotropy—family loneliness association, and negative moderated moderation affected sociotropy—non-family loneliness association. Results suggested that the higher were scores on personal growth and autonomy, the less they affected the association of sociotropy and loneliness. Gender differences in moderation were found only for non-family loneliness. Full article

Understanding the dynamics and vulnerability factors involved in intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization among emerging adults is important in order to better prevent it from happening. The current study aimed to investigate the relationships among dysfunctional attitudes, sociotropy–autonomy, and types of IPV victimization (i.e., psychological, physical, and sexual) and severity (i.e., minor or severe) in emerging adulthood. Through an online survey, 929 emerging adults (84.6% women, mean age = 23.61) completed self-report questionnaires related to variables explored. When checking for childhood abuse, dysfunctional attitudes, sociotropy, and autonomy were related to IPV victimization for at least one type of violence and one scale of severity. The regression models show that independence from others and importance given to others are related to greater severe and minor physical violence, respectively. Attraction to loneliness seemed related to lesser minor psychological violence, whilst valorization of freedom of movement and action were related to greater minor sexual violence. The capacity to oppose others seemed related to greater severe sexual violence. These different cognitive and social characteristics may be associated with poorer social skills, thus making emerging adults more vulnerable to IPV victimization. The preventive and clinical implications are discussed. Full article

The relationships between dimensions of personality (sociotropy and autonomy), coping strategies (rumination: brooding and reflection subtypes, and immature defenses) and symptoms of depression and anxiety were explored in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). A total of 279 patients completed questionnaires including measures of personality dimensions, rumination, immature defenses, depression and anxiety. Our findings suggested that sociotropy and autonomy may be associated with both depressive and anxious symptoms in patients with MDD and with GAD. Multiple mediation analyses indicated that brooding always acted as a mediating link between personality vulnerabilities (sociotropy and autonomy) and depressive and anxiety symptoms, independently of the patient group. In addition, in patients with MDD and those with GAD, brooding and immature defenses functioned together by linking sociotropy and autonomy, respectively, with depressive symptoms. Our results also showed that, in patients with GAD, both types of rumination explained the relationship between sociotropy and autonomy and anxiety symptoms. Overall, our findings provided evidence of the transdiagnostic role of the brooding, linking the vulnerability of personality dimensions and emotional symptoms. They also indicated that reflection and immature defenses can operate in conjunction with brooding, depending on the type of vulnerability and emotional context. Full article