Personal Characteristics and Loneliness: Is there a Relationship?

Dr. David Augustine Bull

Abstract: The relationship between personal characteristics of Self- Esteem, Social Avoidance, and Introverted was investigated among (N=150) randomly selected persons, male and female between the ages of 18 – 65 years within the South Eastern region of the United States. Instrumentation for the study included the Leutenburg and Liptak (2014) Personal Characteristics Scale published by the Whole Person Mental Health and Wellness Resources in Minnesota, USA. Statistical analysis using SPSS 28 software included Descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation, ANOVA, and Multiple Regression. Results of the Pearson Correlation revealed a statistically significantly positive correlation between [Self-Esteem and Introverted r = .431, p < .001]; [Self Esteem and Total Loneliness r = .691, p < .001]; [Social Avoidance and Introverted r = .199, p = .014]; [Social and Total Loneliness r = .666, p < .001]; and [Introvert and Total Loneliness r = .752, p < .001]. The alternative hypothesis was accepted, and the null rejected. However, there was a positive but not a significant correlation between [Self-Esteem and Social Avoidance r = .132, p = .107]. Furthermore, results of the relationship mapping showed a strong connection and influence among the four variables - Self- Esteem, Social Avoidance, Introverted, and Total Loneliness. This connection and influence are indicated by larger nodes and thicker links. The map also showed varied relationship counts of strong [92 – 129; normal 75, and weak 1 – 31]. A one-way ANOVA revealed significant differences in mean scores among the three variables in their relation to Loneliness: Self- Esteem [F(25, 124) = 6.07, p < 0.001, effect size, eta squared (η²), was 0.55, indicating a large effect]; Social Avoidance [F(25, 124) = 5.77, p < 0.001, effect size, eta squared (η²), was 0.54, indicating a large effect]; and Introverted [F(25, 124) = 9.93, p < 0.001, effect size, eta squared (η²), was 0.67, indicating a large effect]. A Tukey’s HSD post hoc test was not performed as the number of cases needed were not enough. The ANOVA results showed statistically significant differences in the way each variable impacted Loneliness. Both the ANOVA and relationship mapping results were supported by the large effect sizes to justify the practical significance of these variables. A multiple regression was also run to test if low Self-Esteem, Social Avoidance, and Introverted scores do predict Loneliness. The results indicated that the three variables statistically significantly predicted Loneliness, [F(3, 146) – 3853.48, p<.001, R²= .988]. Low Self-Esteem, Social Avoidance, and Introverted scores significantly predicted Loneliness [(β = .557, p < .001)].