What Is the Cost of Loneliness Among University Students? The Relationship Between Loneliness, Mental and General Health, and Academic Achievement

The aim of this study was to examine the levels of loneliness among the students of the University of Zagreb, as well as the relationship between loneliness and various sociodemographic characteristics, mental and general health, and subjective academic achievement, including the mediating role of loneliness. A convenience sample of university students (N = 879; age = 18–35) completed the UCLA-3, CORE-10, DASS-21, SAAS and SRH, and provided sociodemographic information. Descriptive analyses, group difference testing, correlation analyses, and hierarchical regression were conducted; mediation was tested for the relationship between SAAS and CORE-10. High levels of loneliness were reported by 76.9% of the students. Loneliness was significantly associated with higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms and stress, poorer self-rated health, and lower academic achievement. In the hierarchical regression analysis, after controlling for gender, year of study, and socioeconomic status variables, both loneliness (β =.423, p<.001) and lower academic achievement (β=−.318, p<.001) proved to be significant predictors of poorer mental health. Partial mediation of loneliness was found in the relationship between academic achievement and mental health (indirect effect a×b = −.103, p<.001; mediation proportion ≈ 23%). The findings of this study indicate that loneliness is highly prevalent among university students and strongly associated with their mental health, partially mediating the negative effect of poorer academic achievement on psychological distress. Multilevel interventions (universal, selective, and indicated prevention) aimed at social connectedness, early identification, and targeted support for the most at-risk groups are warranted.