Risk in childhood family environments and loneliness in college students: Implications for health

Abstract

Objective: To investigate associations between risk in family environments and health-relevant outcomes in college and the role of loneliness. Participants: College students at a state university (N?=?360). Methods: We utilized linear regression to examine relationships between risk in family environments and loneliness, perceived stress, affect, and self-rated health. We tested for indirect effects of risk in family environments on outcomes through loneliness Results: Analyses showed that risk in family environments associated with loneliness (β?=?0.12 t358]?=?2.22, p = .03, R² change = .02), perceived social stress (β?=?0.20, t357]?=?3.88, p?<?0.001, R² change = .04), negative and positive affect (β?=?2.44, t357]?=?3.95, p < .001, R² change = .04), and (β = –0.18 t357]= –3.44, p = .001, R² change = .03 respectively), and self-rated health (β?=?0.19, t359]?=?4.57, p < .001, R² change = .10). Significant indirect effects were observed for risk in early family on all outcomes through loneliness. Conclusion: These findings provide initial evidence that risk in childhood family environments may negatively affect health by increasing loneliness in college students.