When Stress Meets Loneliness: Examining Their Combined Impact on Depression
Natalie Kaldani
Department of Psychology
Faculty Supervisor: Sarah Holley
Depression rarely emerges from a single source, rather, it reflects the convergence of multiple risk factors. It has long been established that stress is a predictor for depression (Hammen, 2015). More recent research has shown that feelings of loneliness are also associated with symptoms of depression, as social isolation can increase feelings of sadness and hopelessness (Erzen & Cikrikci, 2018). A question remains, however, as to how these variables relate to one another. The present study examined the moderating effects of loneliness and perceived stress on depressive symptoms, specifically investigating whether their co-existence is associated with greater depression than either factor alone. The study included 1,487 undergraduate students. All measures were obtained via a Qualtrics survey using established self-report inventories. Analyses were conducted using the Hayes Process Model (Hayes, 2002) and controlled for age, gender, and sexual orientation. In line with past research, results showed both stress and loneliness were positively associated with levels of depression. Further, results showed a significant interaction, indicating that those high in stress who were also high in loneliness reported the highest levels of depression. These findings highlight the importance of addressing both loneliness and stress in interventions aimed at reducing overall rates of depression.