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ERIC Number: EJ1227747
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Sep
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2578-4218
EISSN: N/A
A Person-Centered Longitudinal Analysis of Adolescents' Loneliness and Social Anxiety: Clusters, Predictors, and Outcomes
Zhu, Xinxin; Huebner, E. Scott; Tian, Lili
School Psychology, v34 n5 p576-589 Sep 2019
The research examined whether clusters of loneliness and social anxiety could be identified through latent profile analysis in a longitudinal study of 892 Chinese adolescents (47.8% male), on average 12.96 (SD = 0.62) years old. Six clusters were identified: (a) low loneliness and social anxiety, (b) average loneliness and social anxiety, (c) high social anxiety and low loneliness, (d) high loneliness and low social anxiety, (e) moderate loneliness and social anxiety, and (f) high loneliness and social anxiety. Findings indicated that baseline family dysfunction and school-related stress served as risk factors for membership in the clusters representing higher levels of loneliness and social anxiety compared to the low cluster. Controlling for the baseline levels of respective outcomes, 6 clusters were differentially related to subsequent comprehensive mental health outcomes, underscoring the importance of the roles of both the loneliness and social anxiety processes in adolescents' mental health. Furthermore, these findings indicated that the interactions between social anxiety and loneliness within individuals were differentially related to levels of comprehensive mental health outcomes, implying the need for intervention programs to be tailored to the members of the specific clusters. Impact and Implications: The findings indicated that loneliness and social anxiety occurred simultaneously as well as independently within individuals. Therefore, prior to the treatment of loneliness and social anxiety in adolescents, professionals should evaluate whether individuals experience loneliness and social anxiety together or independently to provide appropriate interventions. Findings also suggested that family dysfunction and school-related stress were risk factors for the clusters reflecting high loneliness and social anxiety compared to the low cluster. Thus, fostering both positive family and school climates appears necessary to promote adolescents' comprehensive mental health.
American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: China
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: UCLA Loneliness Scale; Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A