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Publication Date
1-31-2025
Publication Title
Academia Mental Health and Well-Being
Abstract
It is not currently known how perceived loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with emerging adults’ mental health and whether socioeconomic status (SES) moderated this relationship. The psychosocial development theory states that emerging adults experience a psychological conflict—intimacy versus isolation—where the goal is to seek connections; without connections, emerging adults are likely to experience mental health challenges. These challenges may be exacerbated for those with lower SES. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of perceived social distancing guidelines on the mental health of emerging adults and if this relationship is moderated by SES. This study followed a quantitative, cross-sectional design where emerging adults (aged 18–25; M = 20.13, SD = 1.61) completed an online survey (N = 103) regarding their well-being, perceived loneliness, and SES. Data were analyzed using regression analyses. The results revealed that perceived loneliness was associated with lower levels of well-being (more depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress), but SES did not moderate this relationship. Experiences of perceived loneliness did not vary by SES, as many individuals struggled with social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic regardless of their financial situation.
Document Type
Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.20935/MHealthWellB7496
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Matlock, Falescia and Langlais, Michael, "Perceived loneliness during COVID-19 and young adult mental well-being: testing socioeconomic status as a moderator" (2025). KIP Articles. 10648.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/kip_articles/10648
