Loneliness in school age Children: An integrative review of quantitative studies

The prevalence of loneliness is reported to be as high as 20% for school-age children. The purpose of this paper is to present an integrative review of quantitative studies of loneliness in samples of school age children. Thirty-six articles are included. Three different scales were used to assess loneliness. Loneliness related to negative psychological problems such as anxiety and depression, and to poor academic achievement. The school environment and both peer and family relationships contributed to loneliness. Only one school-based intervention was identified as potentially successful for alleviating loneliness.