Data · dataset · 2026
Conceptualising and measuring loneliness across the lifespan: a multidimensional approach
Listed in ZivaHub and Deakin Research Online and DMU Figshare — shown once because both records carry DOI 10.17034/32639391.v1
<p>Loneliness is distressing, prevalent across the lifespan, and negatively impacts health and wellbeing.
Description
It is subjective and shows evidence of multidimensionality with social, emotional, and existential dimensions, but unidimensional measures are generally used and this tripartite model has only previously been tested in older adults. Moreover, the existential dimension is understudied and a brief construct-specific scale is lacking.
This thesis integrates qualitative, quantitative, and evidence synthesis methods to address these points. </p><p>Study1 reports a systematic review of qualitative literature on experiences of loneliness which synthesised findings from 29 studies of 1,321 participants(7–103 years old) to provide an in-depth picture of loneliness experiences. Some features appear to be particularly relevant at specific life stages. </p><p>Study2 provides a qualitative survey exploring how people describe experiences of existential loneliness.
Read the rest (3 more)
Data from adults (16–72 years old) were analysed through reflexive thematic analysis. This led to four themes describing existential loneliness, from which a new construct definition was developed. </p><p>Study3 developed a brief measure of existential loneliness based on literature review and Study 2 findings. Preliminary items were reviewed by experts and potential participants.
Factor analysis resulted in a brief scale showing high reliability and validity. </p><p>Study4 tested the validity of the proposed tripartite model of loneliness via an online survey with adults (17– 84 years old). Validity of the model was confirmed. Levels of loneliness dimensions differed over the lifespan.
Patterns of association with related variables were assessed.</p><p>These studies support the conceptualisation of loneliness as a complex, subjective ,and multidimensional construct which includes social, emotional, and existential dimensions and varies over the lifespan. Implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed.</p><br>
Links
Where it is published
- DOI doi.org/10.17034/32639391.v1 ↗
DOI / persistent id · from zivahub uct ac za
Catalogue records · 1
- OAI-PMH record api.figshare.com/v2/oai?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=oai_dc&identifier=oai%3Af… ↗
metadata API · from zivahub uct ac za
Topics
Provenance · 3 source records, 7 field assertions
| Source | Key | Last seen | Raw |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZivaHub | oai:figshare.com:article/32639391 | 12 d ago | JSON v1 |
| Deakin Research Online | oai:figshare.com:article/32639391 | 12 d ago | JSON v1 |
| DMU Figshare | oai:figshare.com:article/32639391 | 12 d ago | JSON v1 |
| Field | Assertion | Extractor | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| concepts[field].local:field:earth-environmental | mapping · zivahub uct ac za | connector:zivahub_uct_ac_za@1.0.0 | |
| concepts[field].local:field:earth-environmental | mapping · figshare dmu ac uk | connector:figshare_dmu_ac_uk@1.0.0 | |
| concepts[field].local:field:earth-environmental | mapping · dro deakin edu au | connector:dro_deakin_edu_au@1.0.0 | |
| description | source · zivahub uct ac za | connector:zivahub_uct_ac_za@1.0.0 | /metadata/dc/description |
| license_text | source · zivahub uct ac za | connector:zivahub_uct_ac_za@1.0.0 | |
| publication_date | source · zivahub uct ac za | connector:zivahub_uct_ac_za@1.0.0 | |
| title | source · zivahub uct ac za | connector:zivahub_uct_ac_za@1.0.0 | /metadata/dc/title |