Loneliness and Psychological Distress among Female Students in India: Mediating Role of Coping Style, Social Support and Resilience

Loneliness and psychological distress are major psychological health issues among the student community because of social and continuously increasing academic pressure. Female students are vulnerable to these challenges, with a risk of severe mental health issues. In the present study, we aimed to examine loneliness and psychological distress among female students in India, assessing how social support, coping style, and resilience mediate these effects. Through a web-based survey, 687 responses were collected from female students across various educational institutions, including high school (n=292) and college/university (n=395) students in India. Standardized tools were used to gather data on resilience, psychological distress, coping styles, social support, and loneliness. The findings revealed moderate levels of resilience and psychological distress among the participants. The coping style scores indicated a general trend toward effective coping mechanisms. A higher level of social support was observed than a moderate level of loneliness. While coping style had a minimal mediating influence, resilience and social support were significant mediators of the association between loneliness and psychological distress. This study highlights the psychological experiences of female students in India and makes a significant contribution by providing empirical evidence on the unique roles of protective factors such as resilience and social support against psychological distress and loneliness. These findings are crucial in promoting a targeted mental health framework and support systems for students in similar contexts, reinforcing the need for a holistic approach to student mental health.