Social and emotional loneliness among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: The predictive role of coping behaviors, social support, and personal resilience

Abstract

Objective: To determine the influence of coping behaviors, resilience, and social support on students' emotional and social loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design and Methods: A cross-sectional research design was used to gather data from 303 college students from the Central Philippines using four standardized scales through an online survey. Findings: Loneliness among students was high during the coronavirus pandemic. Resilience, coping behaviors, and social support were identified as protective factors against loneliness. Practice Implications: Interventions directed toward increasing resilience, social support, and coping behaviors may help decrease emotional and social loneliness caused by the mandatory lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.