Open AccessAlone but not lonely: The relationship between COVID-19 social factors, loneliness, depression, and suicidal ideation
Author(s) -
Ana Rabasco,
Vincent Corcoran,
Margaret S. Andover
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0261867
Subject(s) - loneliness , suicidal ideation , social distance , mental health , depression (economics) , clinical psychology , psychology , social support , psychiatry , distancing , social isolation , covid-19 , suicide prevention , medicine , poison control , psychotherapist , medical emergency , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , economics , macroeconomics , pathology
Objective Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been concerns that social distancing may negatively impact mental health, particularly with regards to loneliness, depressive symptoms, and suicidality. The current study explored how aspects of social distancing, communication, and online support from October 2020 to December 2020 related to loneliness, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. Method Participants ( n = 216) who self-identified as having mental health diagnoses were recruited and completed questionnaires online. Results Findings showed that COVID-19 related social contact, particularly electronic social contact, is associated with decreased loneliness, suicidal ideation, and depression. Online emotional support was significantly associated with decreased loneliness and depressive symptoms. Social distancing practices were not associated with increased loneliness, suicidal ideation, and depression. Conclusions Our findings underscore the importance of leveraging electronic methods of social connection, especially among individuals who are at risk for suicide or depression.