The impact of loneliness on academic performance and motivation among rural high school students

Introduction. The article examines the problem of loneliness among rural high school students in Yakutia. A number of factors influence the development of their feelings of loneliness; these factors are determined by the climatic and ethnic characteristics of the inhabitants of the Far North. The theoretical and methodological analyses show that loneliness is a complex phenomenon that, depending on personal characteristics, can be either a source of procrastination or a catalyst for internal development. The aim of this study is to identify how loneliness influences the academic performance of senior students in rural schools in Yakutia. Materials and Methods. The methodological basis of the study consists of comprehensive and systematic approaches, which made it possible to study the problem comprehensively. The study includes a theoretical analysis of Russian and international literature, based on a wide range of psychological and pedagogical sources, popular research publications and reference materials. The empirical part is based on standardized methods: T. O. Gordeeva’s School Academic Motivation Scale (2017), the UCLA‑R Loneliness Scale by David Russell, adapted by L. A. Pergamenshchik and N. N. Lepeshinsky (2008), and Rosenberg’s Self‑Esteem Scale, adapted by A. A. Zolotareva (2020). The assessment was carried out during the 2025–2026 academic year among senior students of the Berdigestakh Secondary School named after S. P. Danilov. The sample consisted of adolescents aged 16–17 (N = 70). The study was conducted with the consent of parents (legal representatives) and with the permission of the school administration. Results. The data obtained using Pearson’s correlation analysis confirm the hypothesis about the negative impact of loneliness on students’ academic motivation and academic performance. It has been revealed that schoolchildren with a high level of loneliness demonstrate lower motivation to study. The study revealed the severity of the problem of loneliness among adolescents in the context of the digitalization of society. It was established that the feeling of loneliness has a negative impact on the academic motivation and academic performance of high school students in rural schools in Yakutia. Summarizing the experience of rural schools in Yakutia, the authors highlight that, taking into account the extreme natural and climatic conditions of the Far North, the specifics of ethnic culture, and the limitations in organizing interpersonal communication, rural schoolchildren especially need targeted psychological support. In this regard, the authors propose a number of recommendations for rural schools to enhance academic motivation and reduce feelings of loneliness. Conclusions. The study reveals the influence of the characteristics of rural areas in Yakutia on the sense of loneliness among high school rural students. It has been found that loneliness correlates with the academic performance and motivation of rural high school students in Yakutia.