Abstract
The role of dysfunctional attitudes in loneliness among college students was investigated. Subjects were 50 introductory psychology volunteers (20 male, 30 female) who completed measures of loneliness severity, depression, and dysfunctional attitudes. The results showed a strong predictive relationship between dysfunctional attitudes and loneliness even after level of depression was statistically controlled. Lonely college students' thinking is dominated by doubts about ability to find satisfying romantic relationships and fears of being rejected and hurt in an intimate pairing. Lonely individuals also experience much anxiety in interpersonal encounters and regard themselves as undesirable to others. Generally, a negative evaluation of self, especially in the social realm, is present. Implications of the results for treatment planning for lonely clients are discussed.
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Wilbert, J.R., Rupert, P.A. Dysfunctional attitudes, loneliness, and depression in college students. Cogn Ther Res 10, 71–77 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01173384
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01173384