Loneliness as a function of selected personality variables

Abstract

Hypothesized that in a multivariate statistical model, selected personality variables, depression, anxiety, neuroticism, psychoticism, misanthropy, and external locus of control, could positively predict loneliness, and self-esteem and extraversion could negatively predict loneliness scores. Two groups of Ss were studied independently. Ss in Group I were 232 Iranian college students (156 males, 76 females) who were studying in American colleges. Group II consisted of 305 Iranian students (168 males, 137 females) who were studying in Iranian universities. The obtained results, applying multiple regression analysis, confirmed the directions stated in the research hypothesis. However, some of the selected variables did not contribute significantly in the regression equations. Because of fluctuation of the regression coefficients, due to multicolinearity, the data were subjected to factor analysis. Two factors emerged with eigenvalues greater than unity. Loneliness loaded heavily on the first factor, which was identified as negative attribute of personality.