The Role of Loneliness and Self-Compassion as Predictors of Depressive Symptoms in College Students

Abstract

High prevalence of depressive symptoms was found in college students. Loneliness, as one common problem incollege students, is assumed to have a role in the development of depressive symptoms. Earlier research foundself-compassion to be associated with better mental health. It is necessary to examine how loneliness and self-compassion play a role in the presence of depressive symptoms in college students. A total of 401 college studentsin the Jabodetabek area were involved in this research by completing online measurement instruments consistingof demographic questionnaire, 6-Item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, Self-Compassion Scale – Short Form,and Patient Health Questionnaire - 9. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Results showed thatloneliness had a significant role in predicting the increase in depressive symptoms, b = .374; t(392) = 7.68, p <.01, while self-compassion was able to predict the reduction of depressive symptoms in college students, b = -.353; t(392) = -7.15, p < .01. This study illustrates the importance of considering the quality of relationships anddeveloping self-compassion as an effort to reduce depression symptoms in college student