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Citation |
Antognoli-Toland PL. Adolesc. Fam. Health 2001; 2(1): 20-26. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2001, Instutute for Youth Development) |
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DOI |
unavailable |
PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
While loneliness can occur at any age, past research has demonstrated that adolescence is a time of especially high risk. Family structure and the quality of the parent-child relationship are important in providing adolescents with a sense of belonging. Few studies have examined the association of family structure, parent-child relationship and loneliness among adolescents. This study analyzed the variables of parental connectedness, presence and activities and family type with covariates of age and gender as predictors of adolescent loneliness. Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) provided the study sample of 5,201 adolescents, with 1,750 adolescents reporting loneliness. Logistic regression procedure was used to analyze the main effects and interaction terms of the study variables. Lonely adolescents were older and female. Adolescents from one-parent and blended families were more likely to be lonely when compared to adolescents from intact families. Adolescents who felt less support from their parents, had fewer opportunities to be with parents throughout the day, and participated in fewer activities with parents were more likely to be lonely. When the interaction between parent-child relationship factors and family type is considered in the logistic regression model the risk for loneliness is reduced. The findings in this study emphasize the importance of the continuing need for parental attention, especially in situations of changed family structure. Along with gender and age, parent-child relationship factors and family structure are important predictors of adolescent loneliness. (Abstract Adapted from Source: Adolescent & Family Health, 2001. Copyright © 2001 by the Institute for Youth Development) |