ABSTRACT

The goal of the study was to estimate associations of loneliness with poor mental health, social-environmental and health risk behaviour indicators among adolescents in the Caribbean. Cross-sectional national ‘Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS)’ data of four Caribbean countries (N = 9,143 adolescents) in 2016–2017 were analysed. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, loneliness was significantly positively associated with all five poor mental health outcomes (having no close friends, anxiety-induced sleep disturbance, suicidal ideation, suicide plan and suicide attempt). Regarding social-environmental outcomes, loneliness was significantly positively associated with bullying victimization, having been physically attacked, involvement in fighting, frequent experiences of hunger and passive smoking (in particular among boys). In terms of health risk behaviour outcomes, loneliness significantly increased the odds for current tobacco use, ever drunk, trouble from alcohol use, ever amphetamine use, multiple sexual partners, leisure-time sedentary behaviour, injury and frequent soft drink consumption. In addition, among boys, loneliness increased the likelihood for current cannabis use. Loneliness is associated with poorer mental health, social-environmental risk factors and health risk behaviours. Results show the importance of taking loneliness into account in a number of mental, social, and physical health factors.

摘要

该研究的目的是估计孤独与加勒比地区青少年心理健康、社会环境和健康风险行为指标差的关系。四个加勒比国家的横断面国家“全球学校学生健康调查（GSHS）”数据（N= 9,143 名青少年）在 2016-2017 年进行了分析。在调整后的逻辑回归分析中，孤独与所有五种不良心理健康结果（没有密友、焦虑引起的睡眠障碍、自杀意念、自杀计划和自杀未遂）均显着正相关。关于社会环境结果，孤独感与欺凌受害、遭受身体攻击、参与战斗、频繁饥饿和被动吸烟（尤其是男孩）呈显着正相关。在健康风险行为结果方面，孤独感显着增加了当前吸烟、曾经醉酒、酗酒问题、曾经使用苯丙胺、多个性伴侣、休闲久坐行为、受伤和频繁饮用软饮料的几率。此外，在男生中，孤独感增加了目前使用大麻的可能性。孤独与较差的心理健康、社会环境风险因素和健康风险行为有关。结果表明，在许多心理、社会和身体健康因素中考虑孤独感的重要性。