Does Being an Only Child Mean Being Lonely? Source of Loneliness in Adolescents

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of family structure on adolescent loneliness in the context of China's one-child and two-child policies. Despite the known physical and mental health consequences of adolescent loneliness and the importance of family factors, research on the role of family structure remains limited. Participants (n = 3312, ages 10–19) were drawn from 32 schools in China using class-based cluster sampling. Network analysis was employed to compare loneliness between only children and non-only children, and multiple linear regression predicted loneliness based on family structure and its interactions with key demographic variables. Results indicate that loneliness differs between only children and non-only children, and being sensitive to withdrawal is a key source of loneliness for only children. However, this process can be moderated by factors such as gender, age, and socioeconomic status. The findings have implications for both academic research and practical interventions addressing adolescent loneliness.