Social-Emotional Loneliness and Life Satisfaction

The intent of this study was to examine the effects of social and emotional loneliness on life satisfaction. Gender differences in loneliness is examined, too. A sample of 396 (172 male, 224 female) university students were selected from Shiraz University. The short version of Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults(SELSA-S); the Satisfaction with Life Scale(SWLS); and Demographic Information Form. Results of the independent t-test revealed that gender has an effect on loneliness levels of the students and male students reported significantly greater emotional loneliness than female students. In addition, the results of stepwise regression, indicated that social and emotional loneliness were significant negative predictors of the life satisfaction, however emotional loneliness was stronger predictor, rather than social loneliness. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Dr. Zafer Bekirogullari.