Understanding Loneliness in Adolescence: A Test of Competing Hypotheses on the Interplay of Extraversion and Neuroticism

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

卷:18

Denis Gerstorf¹  Jenny Wagner²  Larissa L. Wieczorek²  Sarah Humberg³ 

[1] Developmental and Educational Psychology, Humboldt University, Rudower Chaussee 18, 12489 Berlin, Germany;

[2] Educational Psychology and Personality Development, University of Hamburg, Von-Melle-Park 5, 20146 Hamburg, Germany;

[3] Psychological Diagnostics and Personality Psychology, Institute for Psychology, University of Münster, Fliednerstr. 21, 48149 Münster, Germany;

关键词: loneliness;    personality;    adolescence;    polynomial regression;    information-theoretic approach;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph182312412

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Given that adolescents often experience fundamental changes in social relationships, they are considered to be especially prone to loneliness. Meanwhile, theory and research highlight that both extraversion and neuroticism are closely intertwined with individual differences in loneliness. Extant research has explored the linear main effects of these personality traits, yet potential non-linear associations (e.g., exponential effects) and the potential interplay of extraversion and neuroticism (e.g., mutual reinforcement effects) remain unknown. We addressed these open questions using cross-sectional and one-year longitudinal data from two adolescent samples (overall N = 583, M_age = 17.57, 60.55% girls) and an information-theoretic approach combined with polynomial regression. Analyses showed little evidence for interaction effects but revealed non-linear effects in addition to the main effects of extraversion and neuroticism on loneliness. For example, the positive cross-sectional association between neuroticism and loneliness was stronger at higher neuroticism levels (i.e., exponential effect). Results differed across loneliness facets in that both traits predicted emotional loneliness, but only extraversion predicted social loneliness. Longitudinal analyses showed that loneliness changes were mainly related to neuroticism. We discuss results in the light of sample differences, elaborate on the importance to differentiate between emotional versus social aspects of loneliness, and outline implications for adolescent development.

【 授权许可】

Unknown