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The experience of loneliness: main and interactive effects of interpersonal stress, social support and positive affect
- Authors:
- AANES Mette M., MITTELMARK Maurice B., HETLAND Jorn
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 11(4), November 2009, pp.25-33.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Loneliness is a mediating factor between the relationship of chronic interpersonal stress and psychological distress. Alleviating loneliness could reduce psychological distress even in the face of chronic interpersonal stress, and it is plausible that positive affect and social support may moderate chronic interpersonal stress-loneliness, as well as having a direct effect on loneliness. In a community based sample of 3733 Norwegian adults, direct and moderating effects of positive affect and social support were explored. Adding to a body of evidence suggesting a need for mental health promotion intervention research aimed at simultaneously reducing interpersonal stress and increasing social support, this study showed significant interrelations between interpersonal stress, loneliness, positive affect and social support, thus confirming stress, affect and social support are strong predictors of loneliness. The authors conclude that interventions to increase positive affect and social support may decrease loneliness due to direct affects, but cannot be expected to moderate the chronic interpersonal stress-loneliness relationship.