Table 2. Characteristics of lonely young adults.
| Distribution | Association with loneliness | |
|---|---|---|
| Mental health and service use | % (N) | OR (95% CI) |
| Depression diagnosis | 20.07 (414) | 2.22 (1.98, 2.48) |
| Anxiety diagnosis | 7.43 (153) | 2.45 (2.12, 2.84) |
| ADHD diagnosis | 7.86 (162) | 1.66 (1.46, 1.89) |
| Conduct disorder diagnosis | 15.05 (309) | 1.56 (1.40, 1.74) |
| Alcohol dependence diagnosis | 12.75 (263) | 1.29 (1.15, 1.45) |
| Cannabis dependence diagnosis | 4.31 (89) | 1.71 (1.42, 2.05) |
| Self-harm | 13.57 (280) | 2.22 (1.97, 2.50) |
| Suicide attempt | 3.83 (79) | 2.27 (1.90, 2.72) |
| Service use | 12.89 (266) | 1.88 (1.68, 2.11) |
| Physical health and health risks | M (SD) | β (95% CI) |
| BMI | 23.08 (4.86) | 0.02 (-0.03, 0.06) |
| CRP (log) | -2.54 (1.51) | -0.04 (-0.08, 0.01) |
| Physical activity | 2.76 (1.06) | -0.11 (-0.15, -0.07) |
| % (N) | OR (95% CI) | |
| Daily smoking | 22.34 (461) | 1.23 (1.10, 1.38) |
| Coping and functioning | M (SD) | β (95% CI) |
| Life satisfaction | 3.87 (0.73) | -0.44 (-0.48, -0.39) |
| Coping with stress | 8.95 (2.61) | -0.36 (-0.41, -0.32) |
| Problematic technology use | 4.54 (3.91) | 0.28 (0.23, 0.33) |
| Employment prospects | % (N) | OR (95% CI) |
| Not in employment, education or training | 11.57 (239) | 1.38 (1.21, 1.57) |
| Low qualifications | 21.88 (451) | 1.22 (1.09, 1.37) |
| M (SD) | β (95% CI) | |
| Job preparedness (skills) | 4.97 (1.82) | 0.00 (-0.04, 0.05) |
| Job preparedness (attributes) | 16.98 (2.64) | -0.22 (-0.27, -0.17) |
| Optimism | 16.10 (3.20) | -0.29 (-0.35, -0.24) |
| Job search activities | 5.03 (2.43) | 0.03 (-0.01, 0.08) |
M = Mean. SD = Standard deviation. β = Standardised regression coefficient (interpretable as equivalent to a correlation). OR = Odds Ratio. CI = Confidence interval. ADHD = Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. BMI = Body mass index. CRP = C-reactive protein. All associations adjusted for gender and socioeconomic status. In logistic regression analyses, loneliness scores were standardised to obtain ORs based on a 1 SD increase in loneliness. Note: for sleep quality and coping with stress, higher scores reflect worse sleep and more negative coping strategies, respectively.