Loneliness and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Dutch general population: The moderating role of psychological flexibility

• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37172
• Publication Date: 2024-08-30T07:10:03Z
• Authors: Jasper Tilburg; Marianne Simons; Tim Batink; Mayke Janssens; Sanne Peeters; Johan Lataster; Nele Jacobs; Jennifer Reijnders
• Keywords: H1-99; Social isolation; Science (General); Loneliness; Well-being; COVID-19; Psychological Flexibility; Social sciences (General); Q1-390; Mental Health; Social Isolation; well-being; Mental health; Psychological flexibility

Previous studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic found an increased risk of lonelinessdue to measurements taken by governments to limit social interaction. The current study addressesthe relationship between loneliness and both positive and negative mental health in timesof the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of psychological flexibility.Data was collected in the Dutch general population (18+) with two online questionnaires (T1-T2), with an interval of four weeks. A sample of 340 participants varying in age from 18 to 83years (Mage (SD): 52.83 (13) and 61.8 % female), filled in both questionnaires. Loneliness and (thesix core processes of) psychological flexibility were measured at T1 and negative mental health(depression, anxiety and stress) and positive mental health (emotional, psychological and socialwell-being) at T2.Regression analyses indicated a positive (prospective) relation between loneliness anddepression, anxiety and stress and a negative (prospective) relation between loneliness andemotional, psychological and social well-being. Psychological flexibility had a moderating effecton the relation between loneliness and depression but not on the relation between loneliness andrespectively anxiety, stress or well-being. Looking at the six core processes of psychologicalflexibility, being present and committed action were significant moderators of the relation betweenloneliness and depression.We conclude that while it has yet to be determined whether the moderating relationships foundin this study hold beyond COVID-19 conditions, the findings do provide support for the benefits ofpsychological flexibility to intervene in situations where external circumstances or psychologicalchallenges are beyond one’s control.