Other Titles
The Association Between Loneliness, Sleep Quality, Depression, and Psychological Well-being in Underserved Communities [Poster Title]
Other Titles
Rising Star Poster/Presentation
Abstract
Background: Loneliness is a distressing emotional state that arises when an individual's actual social relationships do not align with their desired social connections. As loneliness becomes increasingly prevalent among adults, its adverse effects on mental health have grown more evident. Research links loneliness to poor sleep quality, suicidal ideation, severe depressive symptoms, and heightened stress. These effects are particularly pronounced in underserved communities, where social determinants of health disproportionately impact African Americans, contributing to poorer health outcomes. However, limited research explores the relationship between loneliness, sleep, and depression specifically within African American populations.
Purpose: This study aims to determine whether loneliness predicts sleep quality, depression, and psychological well-being in underserved communities.
Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed to analyze baseline data from a randomized controlled trial conducted in underserved communities in Western New York. Participants completed a series of questionnaires via REDCap. Four key variables including sleep quality, depression, loneliness, and psychological well-being were examined. Regression analysis was conducted to assess associations between these variables.
Results: The study included 250 participants, the majority of whom were African American (71%) and female (84%). Regression analysis revealed that loneliness significantly predicted sleep quality and depression (p < 0.05), with the strongest association observed between loneliness and psychological well-being (p < 0.001). Participants with higher loneliness scores reported poorer sleep quality, more severe depressive symptoms, and lower psychological well-being.
Conclusion: Loneliness is a significant predictor of mental health outcomes in underserved communities. Addressing loneliness may improve sleep quality, alleviate depressive symptoms, and enhance psychological well-being. Future research should explore these associations in a more demographically representative sample and consider longitudinal designs for a deeper understanding of long-term effects of loneliness. Additionally, cost-effective and accessible interventions should be developed to mitigate loneliness and its associated mental health consequences.
Notes
References:
Fisher FD, Reitzel LR, Nguyen N, Savoy EJ, Advani PS, Cuevas AG, Vidrine JI, Wetter DW, McNeill LH. Loneliness and self-rated health among church-attending African Americans. Am J Health Behav. 2014 Jul;38(4):481-91. doi: 10.5993/AJHB.38.4.1.
Komada, Y. Effects of loneliness and social isolation on sleep health. Sleep Biol. Rhythms 20, 149 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41105-022-00378-5
New APA Poll: One in Three Americans Feel Lonely Every Week. American Psychiatric Association. (2024). https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/news-releases/new-apa-poll-one-in-three-americans-feels-lonely-e
Park C, Majeed A, Gill H, et al. The Effect of Loneliness on Distinct Health Outcomes: A Comprehensive Review and Meta-Analysis. Psychiatry Res. 2020;294:113514. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113514
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Cross-Sectional
Research Approach
Mixed/Multi Method Research
Keywords:
Cultural Context and Care, Loneliness, Loneliness Side Effects, Quality of Sleep, Depression, Well-being, Underserved Communities, Underserved Populations
Recommended Citation
Khan, Ameemah and Chang, Yu-Ping, "The Association Between Loneliness and Mental Health in Underserved Communities" (2025). Biennial Convention (CONV). 78.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2025/posters_2025/78
Conference Name
48th Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Invited Presentation
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-12-09
Funder(s)
Patient Centered Outcome Research Institute (PCORI)
The Association Between Loneliness and Mental Health in Underserved Communities
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Background: Loneliness is a distressing emotional state that arises when an individual's actual social relationships do not align with their desired social connections. As loneliness becomes increasingly prevalent among adults, its adverse effects on mental health have grown more evident. Research links loneliness to poor sleep quality, suicidal ideation, severe depressive symptoms, and heightened stress. These effects are particularly pronounced in underserved communities, where social determinants of health disproportionately impact African Americans, contributing to poorer health outcomes. However, limited research explores the relationship between loneliness, sleep, and depression specifically within African American populations.
Purpose: This study aims to determine whether loneliness predicts sleep quality, depression, and psychological well-being in underserved communities.
Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed to analyze baseline data from a randomized controlled trial conducted in underserved communities in Western New York. Participants completed a series of questionnaires via REDCap. Four key variables including sleep quality, depression, loneliness, and psychological well-being were examined. Regression analysis was conducted to assess associations between these variables.
Results: The study included 250 participants, the majority of whom were African American (71%) and female (84%). Regression analysis revealed that loneliness significantly predicted sleep quality and depression (p < 0.05), with the strongest association observed between loneliness and psychological well-being (p < 0.001). Participants with higher loneliness scores reported poorer sleep quality, more severe depressive symptoms, and lower psychological well-being.
Conclusion: Loneliness is a significant predictor of mental health outcomes in underserved communities. Addressing loneliness may improve sleep quality, alleviate depressive symptoms, and enhance psychological well-being. Future research should explore these associations in a more demographically representative sample and consider longitudinal designs for a deeper understanding of long-term effects of loneliness. Additionally, cost-effective and accessible interventions should be developed to mitigate loneliness and its associated mental health consequences.
Description
This study examines the impact of loneliness on sleep quality, depression, and psychological well-being in underserved communities. Using a cross-sectional design with data from 250 participants. regression analysis revealed that loneliness significantly predicts poor sleep, increased depressive symptoms, and lower psychological well-being. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address loneliness and its mental health consequences.