@article{ref1,
title="The unbearable loneliness of COVID-19: COVID-19-related correlates of loneliness in  South Africa in young adults",
journal="Psychiatry research",
year="2020",
author="Padmanabhanunni, A. and Pretorius, T. B.",
volume="296",
number="",
pages="e113658-e113658",
abstract="This is the first study to examine the association between COVID-19 related  variables and loneliness among young adults in South Africa during COVID-19. Participants (N=337) were university students who completed the UCLA Loneliness  Scale and five selected subscales of the WHO COVID-19 Behavioural Insights Tool. The  mean loneliness scores were significantly higher than previous studies in other  contexts as well as studies conducted in the time of COVID-19. Correlational  analysis found that greater perceived risk of infection, limited perceived knowledge  of COVID-19 and lower appraisals of resilience were associated with increased  loneliness. In a regression analysis, when all COVID-19 variables were considered  simultaneously, only resilience, self-rated knowledge, and risk perception emerged  as significant correlates of loneliness. These findings suggest that loneliness is a  significant public health concern in South Africa in the time of COVID-19. It also  suggests that self-efficacy and resilience can potentially be reinforced by public  health campaigns that focus on enhancing COVID-19-related knowledge and  preparedness.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0165-1781",
doi="10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113658",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113658"
}