STRESS

Original Articles

The Multiple Mediating Effects of Emotional Isolation and Loneliness on the Influence of Physical Isolation on Depression among Emerging Adults: RaeHyuck Lee; STRESS. 2026;34(3):155-164. Published online September 30, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17547/kjsr.2026.34.3.155

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Abstract PDF: Background
This study investigated the serial mediating effects of emotional isolation and loneliness on the influence of physical isolation on depression among emerging adults.
Methods
Using raw data from the 2022 Seoul Isolated and Reclusive Youth Survey, a statistical analysis was conducted on a sample of 2,386 emerging adults aged 19-29 years, using Hayes’ PROCESS Macro (Model 6).
Results
Empirical results indicated that physical isolation was significantly and positively associated with depression. Furthermore, emotional isolation and loneliness each significantly mediated the influence of physical isolation on depression demonstrating simple mediation effects. Most notably, the analysis confirmed a significant serial multiple mediating effect, indicating a sequential pathway in which physical isolation was associated with higher emotional isolation, which, in turn, was associated with greater loneliness and, ultimately, higher levels of depression.
Conclusions
Based on these findings, this study suggests comprehensive interventions to mitigate depression in emerging adults. Policy and clinical efforts should focus on strengthening meaningful social support networks to alleviate emotional isolation rather than merely expanding superficial contacts. In addition, targeted psychological services are required to address subjective loneliness. Ultimately, a multilayered approach that addresses both structural connections and emotional well-being is essential to prevent psychological distress.

Reciprocal Associations between Stress, Loneliness, and Social Networks in Middle-Aged and Older Koreans: A Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model: So Yeong Yoon, Seung Chul Lee, Soo Rim Noh; STRESS. 2026;34(2):81-93. Published online June 30, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17547/kjsr.2026.34.2.81

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Stress, loneliness, and social networks play pivotal roles in the mental health of middle-aged and older adults. However, their longitudinal interplay, distinguishing stable between-person differences from within-person fluctuations, remains underexplored. This study examines the temporal directionality of these variables in a Korean sample.
Methods
Data were collected over three waves at six-month intervals from 297 middle-aged and older Korean adults (Mage = 58.53, range: 40–83). A Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model (RI-CLPM) was employed to analyze stress (BEPSI-K), loneliness (ULS-3), and social networks (LSNS), with demographic covariates entered as predictors of the random intercepts. Parameters were estimated through maximum likelihood with robust standard errors (MLR).
Results
At the between-person level, stress was positively associated with loneliness, whereas social networks were negatively associated with both. At the within-person level, stress and loneliness reciprocally predicted each other over time: higher-than-average stress predicted subsequent increases in loneliness, and higher-than-average loneliness predicted subsequent increases in stress. Social networks demonstrated no significant autoregressive or cross-lagged effects.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that the structural aspects of social networks (i.e., contact frequency, network size, and availability of support) and the subjective experience of loneliness may follow distinct pathways at the within-person level. Considering the bidirectional within-person interplay of stress and loneliness, stress management may be considered a potential intervention point for preventing the exacerbation of loneliness among middle-aged and older adults. However, causal interpretation is constrained by the observational design and unmeasured time-varying confounders.

Validity Evidence for the K-ULS-8: A Brief Korean UCLA-Based Loneliness Measure for University Student Stress-Related Mental Health Research: Wonjin Seo; STRESS. 2026;34(2):104-111. Published online June 30, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17547/kjsr.2026.34.2.104

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Loneliness is relevant to stress-related psychological distress in young adults, but brief Korean UCLA-based measures require item-level validation.
Methods
Two independent Korean university student samples were analyzed. Study 1 (n=341 women) used exploratory factor analysis and Rasch rating scale modeling to derive a brief form from Kim’s 20-item Korean Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale adaptation. Study 2 (n=214) examined Rasch cross-validation, gender-related differential item functioning (DIF), and correlations with depressive symptoms and intrusive rumination.
Results
The final K-ULS-8 showed acceptable item fit in Study 1 (infit=.81~1.16, outfit=.74~1.14) and Study 2 (infit=.75~1.30, outfit=.72~1.18). Rating-scale thresholds were ordered, and the Rasch dimension explained 56.6% and 54.5% of raw variance in Studies 1 and 2, respectively. K-ULS-8 scores correlated strongly with the 20-item parent scale (r=.918) and positively with depressive symptoms (r=.639) and intrusive rumination (r=.345). Gender-related DIF evidence was preliminary: LON2 showed a potentially meaningful DIF signal, and LON11 showed cross-sample item-location instability but negligible gender DIF within Study 2.
Conclusions
The K-ULS-8 provides initial, sample-bound validity evidence as a low-burden measure of affective loneliness for Korean university student mental health and stress-related psychological distress research.

The Relationship between Rejection Sensitivity and Loneliness: Double Mediation Effects of Self-Acceptance and Self-Silencing: Ayeong Jeong, Boyoung Kim; STRESS. 2025;33(4):192-200. Published online December 31, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17547/kjsr.2025.33.4.192

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Abstract PDF: Background
This study aimed to provide an integrated explanation of the effects of rejection sensitivity on loneliness. Specifically, this study examined the individual and serial mediating roles of self-acceptance and self-silencing in the relationship between rejection sensitivity and loneliness.
Methods
A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 310 male and female university students (ages 19-26 years) in South Korea. Participants completed measures assessing rejection sensitivity, self-acceptance, self-silencing, and loneliness. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0, and the PROCESS macro was used to test for direct and indirect effects.
Results
Rejection sensitivity had a significant direct effect on loneliness; it was negatively correlated with self-acceptance and positively correlated with self-silencing. Both self-acceptance and self-silencing served as partial mediators in the relationship between rejection sensitivity and loneliness. Critically, the serial mediation model was significant: rejection sensitivity predicted lower self-acceptance, which in turn predicted higher self-silencing, ultimately leading to increased loneliness.
Conclusions
The findings suggest that the influence of rejection sensitivity on loneliness is a complex process partially explained by the sequential roles of diminished self-acceptance and subsequent self-silencing. This study highlights the importance of targeting both self-acceptance and self-silencing in clinical and educational settings to develop effective strategies for reducing loneliness among young adults with high rejection sensitivity.

Effects of Loneliness on Stress in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Sequential Dual Mediating Roles of Social Interaction Anxiety and Self-Control: Seung Chul Lee, Wonil Choi, SoYeong Yoon, Soo Rim Noh; STRESS. 2025;33(2):93-102. Published online June 30, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17547/kjsr.2025.33.2.93

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Abstract PDF

Background
The aim of this study is to identify the psychological pathways linking loneliness to stress among middle-aged and older adults, focusing on the mediating roles of social interaction anxiety and self-control.
Methods
A total of 580 adults aged 40∼71 years completed an online self-report questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was used to test a sequential mediation model, and covariates such as age, sex, depression, and extraversion were controlled for.
Results
Loneliness was positively associated with stress and social interaction anxiety, and negatively with self-control. Social interaction anxiety and self-control each mediated the relationship between loneliness and stress. Moreover, a significant sequential mediation pathway was observed: loneliness was associated with higher levels of social interaction anxiety, which in turn was negatively related to self-control, and lower self-control was linked to heightened stress. After controlling for covariates, only the indirect effect via social interaction anxiety remained significant. This suggests that anxiety in social contexts may serve as a robust emotional mechanism underlying the association between loneliness and perceived stress.
Conclusions
This study empirically supports the sequential mediation model in which loneliness increases social interaction anxiety, which in turn reduces self-control, ultimately elevating stress. These findings highlight the importance of considering both interpersonal and intrapersonal factors in mental health interventions for aging populations. Addressing loneliness, reducing social interaction anxiety, and strengthening self-control may be effective targets for psychological intervention and community-based programs tailored to the needs of middle-aged and older adults.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Loneliness and perceived stress in family caregivers of older adults with disabilities: the mediating role of psychological resilience
Yinghui Song, Ying Luo, Xiwen Zhang, Ying Zhou, Shudi Chen, Caiying Huang
BMC Geriatrics.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Validity Evidence for the K-ULS-8: A Brief Korean UCLA-Based Loneliness Measure for University Student Stress-Related Mental Health Research
Wonjin Seo
STRESS.2026; 34(2): 104. CrossRef

Impact of Frailty, Depression, and Loneliness on Ego-Integrity in Community-Dwelling Elderly: Seon Ju Song, Sung Hee Ko, Ji Young Kim, Hyun Kyung Kim; STRESS. 2022;30(3):139-146. Published online September 30, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17547/kjsr.2022.30.3.139

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1 Citations

Abstract PDF

Background
This study examined how frailty, depression, and loneliness impact ego-integrity among the community-dwelling elderly
Methods
The study participants comprised 187 elderly people in J-province. Data collected in October 2018 via structured self-report questionnaires were used to assess the participants’ general characteristics, frailty, depression, loneliness, and ego-integrity. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple regression.
Results
Significantly positive correlations were found among frailty, depression, and loneliness. Ego-integrity showed significantly negative correlations with frailty, depression, and loneliness. Finally, loneliness was a significant factor, explaining about 28.7% of the variance on ego-identity.
Conclusions
The study’s findings suggest that an intervention focused on reducing loneliness would improve ego-integrity among the elderly.

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After the First Basic Plan for the Prevention of Lonely Death, Re-examining Loneliness: Policy, Research, and Practice Agendas for Psychiatric Nursing
Inhong Kim
Journal of Korean Academy of psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.2026; 35(1): 1. CrossRef

The Parallel Multiple Mediating Effects of Work-Family Conflict and Loneliness in the Relationship between Temperaments, Depression, and Anxiety while Working from Home: Yeeun Hwang, Yejin Cho, Yuseung Choi, Myoung-Ho Hyun; STRESS. 2022;30(2):75-84. Published online June 30, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17547/kjsr.2022.30.2.75

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Abstract PDF

Background
As the number of people working from home has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to understand workers’ stress and psychological state while working from home. Work-family conflict and loneliness may be related to working from home, and they could be experienced differently depending on individual traits. Therefore, this study examined the parallel multiple mediating effects of work-family conflict and loneliness in the relationship between personal temperaments and negative emotions such as depression and anxiety.
Methods
Data were collected online from people currently working from home for at least one month, more than once per week. They answered K-DASS-21, UCLA loneliness scale, Work-Family Conflict, and FCB-TI. Only four temperaments were used in the statistic step: Briskness and Sense sensitivity as protective factors and Perseveration and Emotional reactivity as vulnerable factors. The multiple mediating effects were analyzed independently by using the PROCESS macro.
Results
Firstly, Briskness and Sense sensitivity were found to negatively affect depression and anxiety while working from home by significantly mediating work-family conflict and loneliness. Thus, these temperaments would be protective factors while working from home. Secondly, Perseveration and Emotional reactivity positively influenced both negative emotions by mediating two mediation variables, which means that both temperaments are vulnerable factors.
Conclusions
The results suggest that personality traits can impact how people experience stress and negative emotions in working situations, leading to negative psychological states. Consequently, personal temperaments would be important to understand relationships between environments and internal experiences.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

The Dual Mediation Effect of Evaluative Concerns Perfectionism and Mindfulness in the Relationship between Temperament and Depression among Office Workers
SeoYeon Park, Yejin Cho, Myoung-Ho Hyun
STRESS.2023; 31(2): 87. CrossRef

The Effects of Loneliness on Paranoia: A Mediating Effect of Self-Concept: Moonseob Park, Myoung-Ho Hyun; STRESS. 2020;28(2):84-89. Published online June 30, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17547/kjsr.2020.28.2.84

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Abstract PDF: Background
Although there is a relationship between paranoia and loneliness in several studies, the mechanisms that explain how loneliness augments paranoia remain unclear. The study investigates the effects of self-concept in the relationship between loneliness and paranoia.
Methods
149 participants (male N=70, female N=79, mean age: 22.05 years) completed the questionnaires measuring levels of loneliness, self-concept, and paranoia.
Results
Data from this study show that loneliness has a significantly negative effect on self-concept and positive effect on paranoia. Self-concept has a significantly negative effect on paranoia. Also, it was analyzed that meditating effect on self-concept is significant on the relationship between loneliness and paranoia
Conclusions
Based on the result of this study, it was confirmed that loneliness could activate self-concept negatively, which leads to an increase in paranoia. Also, current results suggested that in the treatment of paranoia, it was important to deal with feeling of loneliness as well as intervention in self-concept.

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