Gender Differences in Loneliness, and Its Impact on Depression, among Highly Skilled Migrants in the Netherlands

This study explored how loneliness affects depression and whether these experiences differ between men and women among highly skilled migrants in the Netherlands. A total of 200 participants (100 males, 100 females) aged 18 years and above, who had lived in the Netherlands for at least one year and held a bachelor’s degree or higher, completed an online survey. The survey included the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and basic demographic questions. The findings showed that women experienced more loneliness (62%) and higher depression levels (49%) compared to men (39% and 34%, respectively). There was also a strong link between loneliness and depression (r = .58, p < .001). Regression results indicated that loneliness was a significant predictor of depression, explaining 34% of the variation in depression scores. The results point to the importance of creating culturally sensitive support systems and integration programs to help reduce loneliness and promote better mental health for migrants.