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The Association between Loneliness, Mental Well-Being, and Self-Esteem among Adolescents in Four Nordic Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Nelli Lyyra

    (Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland)

  • Einar Baldvin Thorsteinsson

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia)

  • Charli Eriksson

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Katrine Rich Madsen

    (The National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense, Denmark)

  • Asko Tolvanen

    (Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland)

  • Petra Löfstedt

    (Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden)

  • Raili Välimaa

    (Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland)

Abstract

Positive mental health is central to adolescent well-being. The present study examines the prevalence of loneliness and positive mental health indicators (mental well-being and self-esteem) in four Nordic countries and associations between loneliness, mental well-being, and high self-esteem. This study is based on data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study which was conducted in 2018 in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden. Participants were 5883 15-year-old boys and girls. To examine the associations between loneliness, mental well-being, and self-esteem, structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied. In the comparison of Nordic countries, the prevalence of loneliness was highest among Finnish and Icelandic adolescents. High mental well-being and high self-esteem were most prevalent in Denmark and Sweden. In general, boys scored higher on positive mental health indicators and girls on loneliness. Loneliness was also a strong indicator of low mental well-being and low self-esteem in all Nordic countries. Loneliness is not only associated with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, but it is also a risk factor for adolescents’ positive mental health. Positive mental health is important for healthy maturation and there is a need to develop initiatives to reduce adolescent loneliness and so support positive development.

Suggested Citation

  • Nelli Lyyra & Einar Baldvin Thorsteinsson & Charli Eriksson & Katrine Rich Madsen & Asko Tolvanen & Petra Löfstedt & Raili Välimaa, 2021. "The Association between Loneliness, Mental Well-Being, and Self-Esteem among Adolescents in Four Nordic Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-12, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:14:p:7405-:d:592288
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Albert Satorra & Peter Bentler, 2001. "A scaled difference chi-square test statistic for moment structure analysis," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 66(4), pages 507-514, December.
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    1. Zsuzsa Lábiscsák-Erdélyi & Ilona Veres-Balajti & Annamária Somhegyi & Karolina Kósa, 2022. "Self-Esteem Is Independent Factor and Moderator of School-Related Psychosocial Determinants of Life Satisfaction in Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-14, May.
    2. Abdullah Sarwar & Md. Amirul Islam & Muhammad Mohiuddin & Mohammad Ali Tareq & Aysa Siddika, 2022. "Social Connections and Self-Perceived Depression: An Enhanced Model for Studying Teenagers’ Mental Wellbeing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-12, November.
    3. Marlies Maes & Pamela Qualter & Gerine M. A. Lodder & Marcus Mund, 2022. "How (Not) to Measure Loneliness: A Review of the Eight Most Commonly Used Scales," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-37, August.

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