The pandemic forced many children to be isolated at home without consistent social interactions. This unprecedented situation left many concerned about the consequences of such isolation for children. Of course, one obvious consequence is loneliness, but does loneliness mean children will experience depression? Researchers at the University of New South Wales conducted a meta-analysis of research investigating the connection between loneliness and depressive symptoms. The results, published in Behaviour Change, indicate that loneliness may be a significant risk factor for depression.
As the world exits this stage of the global pandemic, it provides an opportunity to assess the response, what worked, and what did not, and to gather data to support future decisions. Researchers Carissa Dunn and Gemma Sicouri sought to analyze previous literature to determine if loneliness was a significant factor in the increased rates of depression symptoms in children and adolescents during the pandemic years.
The research team searched for studies published between 1900-2020 with human participants under 18. Search terms used were ‘loneliness,’ ‘isolation,’ ‘depression,’ and ‘children’ or ‘adolescents .’This process elicited 3,664 articles whittled down to 44 studies that fit the meta-analysis criteria. The criteria included: full text in English, peer-reviewed and empirical, participants were younger than 19, and the study included “standardized and validated measure(s)” of depression and loneliness as well as a cross-sectional relationship between loneliness and depression.
The chosen 44 studies were published between 1983-2021 and included a total of 27,214 children between the ages of 9-18. Approximately one-half of the participants were female. Statistical analysis of these studies revealed there was a moderate correlation between loneliness and depressive symptoms. This indicates that when feelings of loneliness increase, depressive symptoms increase.
The findings were consistent across age and gender. This was somewhat surprising as adolescents may be more vulnerable to mental health issues. The result is similar to the findings from a 2018 meta-analysis of the loneliness and depression relationship among adults.
This study may be used to inform future policy decisions as it pertains to school closures or student support when closures are unavoidable. The authors state: “Our results, in conjunction with the high levels of reported loneliness in youth during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggest that policymakers need to minimize child and adolescent loneliness where possible.”
Limitations of the meta-analysis include its focus on cross-sectional studies only. Cross-sectional studies compare different people simultaneously, whereas longitudinal studies examine the same people over a more extended period. A longitudinal study investigating loneliness and depression may yield different results. The researchers also acknowledge that loneliness and isolation may not mean the same thing during a pandemic. Isolation for children outside of the pandemic experience may result from social rejection.
These minor limitations may not diminish the value of this meta-analysis. The researchers conclude their study with the following: “Given the strength of the association between loneliness and depression, strategies to reduce the incidence of loneliness in youth samples is paramount, particularly in light of the current disease containment measures for COVID-19 around the world.”
The study, “The Relationship Between Loneliness and Depressive Symptoms in Children and Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis”, was authored by Carissa Dunn and Gemma Sicouri.