This study on the recognition of loneliness as a basis for psychotherapy developed a conceptual model for loneliness intervention. Specific loneliness behaviours and suggested loneliness interventions to be implemented during psychotherapy were identified in the conceptual model for loneliness intervention. The review of the literature supported the need for research on conceptualizing loneliness to facilitate psychotherapy with lonely clients. A quasi-experimental design was employed in the study. The Schmidt-Sermat Loneliness Scale was utilized to identify clients who tested high in loneliness. In Part I of the study, the control group, thirteen mental health clients who tested high in loneliness were involved in psychotherapy with one of four therapists. 1 Upon completion of six psychotherapy sessions, the clients were again tested for loneliness. An Inservice Education on loneliness and an explanation of the implementing of the conceptual model for loneliness intervention during psychotherapy, as developed by the investigator, was given. Specific loneliness behaviours and possible loneliness interventions were inherent in the model. A new group of eleven clients who tested high in loneliness were identified to the same four therapists who participated in Part I of the study. These clients formed the comparison group for Part II of the study. Loneliness consultation was provided on a weekly basis by the investigator to facilitate therapist implementation of the conceptual model for loneliness intervention. Clients were again tested for loneliness after six therapy sessions. At the end of Part I and Part II, therapists rated their perception of progress in psychotherapy and satisfaction in attempting loneliness intervention. Open end-interviews on the implementation of the conceptual model for loneliness intervention was also conducted. Analysis of the findings of the study resulted in Hypotheses I, II, and III being upheld. Psychotherapy was more effective in reducing loneliness when the conceptual model for loneliness intervention was implemented. Therapists who utilized loneliness intervention with clients who tested high in loneliness found the psychotherapy sessions more satisfying. Therapist perception of client progress in psychotherapy increased when the conceptual model for loneliness intervention was implemented. The findings of the study were strongly significant and indicated the usefulness of a conceptual model for loneliness intervention. The primary recommendation of the study was that loneliness psychotherapy be conducted with mental health clients who are lonely. The presentation of loneliness as a basis for psychotherapy requires that the concept of loneliness be theoretically and conceptually defined. Basically, the study recommended that there be further exploration of the concept of loneliness in the field of mental health. For further research, it was suggested that this research be conducted in a hospital setting on a psychiatric ward where on-going therapy is conducted on a daily basis. This would allow for the facilities at the hospital to be readily integrated with the loneliness interventions which would involve therapists to directly observe and participate in the loneliness interventions, in a role-model situation, if appropriate. Individuals have always experienced loneliness, many have suffered from this feeling. It is the inherent goal of health professionals to promote mental health. By setting a sound base for loneliness in psychotherapy, mental health care may be improved. This can also be achieved by therapists, educators, and researchers furthering the knowledge and conceptualization of loneliness to form a strong theoretical base for this concept. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Nursing, School of / Graduate

Persistent periods of stress exacerbate the symptoms of chronic illness. Additionally, loneliness is strongly correlated with stress and both state and trait anxiety. Prolonged periods of loneliness are linked with depression in both clinical and student samples. Forgiveness, a cognitive, emotional, and behavioral response to interpersonal or intrapersonal conflict, is important to social harmony. in this study I describe three studies that examine forgiveness, loneliness, stress, and anxiety in two populations, a student population and an HIV+ clinical population. Study 1 examined how the variables of forgiveness and loneliness are associated with perceived stress in a student sample of undergraduate students. Study 2 examined the same variables (forgiveness, loneliness, and perceived stress) in an HIV-positive clinical population. Finally, study 3 extends the model and examines the relationship of forgiveness and loneliness to variables related to stress, state and trait anxiety. for studies 2 and 3, 63 HIV-positive individuals participated in the cross-sectional correlational study. the data was analyzed in each study using hierarchical linear regression analysis. We also tested the models for the three studies to determine if forgiveness moderates the relationship between loneliness and state and trait anxiety. in study 1, using hierarchical linear regression analyses, I found that increased forgiveness and decreased loneliness was associated with less perceived stress in both a non-clinical and clinical sample of HIV-positive adults. in studies 2 and 3, I conducted hierarchical linear regression analyses and found that increased forgiveness contributed a significant portion of the variance in perceived stress and state and trait anxiety in a non-clinical and HIV-positive sample. I did not find moderation in any of the models.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 135 p. : ill. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 119-130).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of North Texas, May, 2008. / Title from title page display. Includes bibliographical references.

M.A. (Clinical Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Previous research, as well as theory, has supported the existence of a relationship between death anxiety and loneliness in older adults but a causal examination has not been possible until now. A hypothesized model was developed which states that loneliness will lead to death anxiety mediated by cultural worldview. Longitudinal data was analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling in order to more fully explore this potentially causal relationship. The primary model was supported suggesting that loneliness can lead to death anxiety as mediated by cultural worldview. Implications and future directions are discussed.

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The theme of isolation in some degree is drawn through every character in every novel by Carson McCullers. This thesis examines the works of McCullers and the ideas of loneliness and isolation in her works and in her life.

Purpose The aim of the systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the magnitude and strength of the loneliness-psychosis relationship, and to synthesise current evidence. The aim of the empirical investigation was to establish whether, in older people, loneliness may increase proneness to auditory hallucinations and perceiving visual human-like features in ambiguous stimuli. Methods For the meta-analysis a search of electronic databases was conducted (PsychINFO, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science). Studies were included if they reported usable data relating to the association between loneliness and psychotic symptoms. A random effects meta-analysis was used to compute a pooled estimate of the correlation, together with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). Study quality and outcome quality were systematically assessed using adapted versions of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) tool and GRADE approach, respectively. For the empirical study, a parallel group experimental design with random allocation to experimental conditions was employed. Participants (62 healthy adults aged 65 and above) were assigned to one of the two conditions – the experimental condition or a control condition. A loneliness induction procedure was employed in the experimental condition whereas participants in the control condition completed a neutral task. A logistic regression was conducted to evaluate performance on auditory and visual tasks across the groups and an odds ratio was calculated. Results Thirteen studies were included in the meta-analysis, providing data from 15,647 participants. A moderate association between psychosis and loneliness was observed (k=13, N=15,647, r=0.32, 95% CI 0.20, 0.44; I2 97.56%; moderate quality evidence). Whether loneliness was assessed by single-item or a more comprehensive measure had no moderating effect on the estimate. The experimental study revealed that participants in the neutral condition were significantly less likely to hear words in ambiguous stimuli than those in the experimental condition (OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.51 – 0.94, p < 0.05). Exploratory analysis revealed that higher scores on the state loneliness measure were associated with an increase in the likelihood of hearing words (OR=1.17, 95% CI 1.01-1.35, p = 0.03). No effect of loneliness induction was found on perceiving human-like features in ambiguous visual stimuli. Conclusions The meta-analysis confirmed a significant positive relationship between loneliness and psychosis, while the experimental study suggested that loneliness may have a causal role in the development of subclinical auditory experiences in older people. Further studies examining whether loneliness is involved in proneness to other psychotic experiences would be beneficial.