A Comparative Study of Loneliness among Adolescents  from Single-Parent Families and Two-Parent Families

Jidapa Poogpan; Rarin Saengkeaw; Choochart Wong-Anuchit; Kedwalee Kongthon; Surapong Srisettha; Thanaporn Pawasay

Authors

Jidapa Poogpan Faculty of Nursing, Mahasarakham University
รรฤณ แสงแก้ว Faculty of Nursing, Kasetsart University
Choochart Wong-Anuchit Faculty of Nursing, Mahasarakham University
Kedwalee Kongthon Phayakkhaphum Vitthayakhan School
Surapong Srisettha Phayakkhaphum Vitthayakhan School
Thanaporn Pawasay Phayakkhaphum Vitthayakhan School

Keywords:

Loneliness, Adolescents, Single-Parent Families, Two-Parent Families

Abstract

This cross-sectional comparative study aimed to: (1) examine and compare loneliness among adolescents from single-parent families and two-parent families, and (2) compare loneliness within each group according to personal characteristics. The participants consisted of 242 adolescents aged 13–18 years in Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand, including 121 adolescents from single-parent families and 121 adolescents from two-parent families. Cluster sampling was employed. Loneliness was assessed using the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale–6 (RULS-6) (Cronbach’s Alpha = .86). Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests. The findings revealed as follows.

1. Adolescents in single-parent families reported significantly higher mean loneliness scores (M = 14.89, SD = 3.97) than those in two-parent families (M = 13.75, SD = 4.17) (p-value = .030). Both groups demonstrated moderate levels of loneliness overall. Item-level analysis showed that adolescents in single-parent families had moderate mean scores across all items (2.12 – 2.74), while those in two-parent families also reported moderate overall scores (1.87 – 2.56).

2.. Within the single-parent family group, gender differences were statistically significant (p-value = .005), with female adolescents reporting higher loneliness scores than males (M = 15.56, SD = 4.03 vs. M = 13.38, SD = 3.42). No significant differences were found for age, family income, duration of living in a single-parent family, or age at the onset of living in a single-parent family. In the two-parent family group, family income was a significant factor (p-value = .048). Adolescents from families with monthly income below 10,000 THB reported higher loneliness scores than those from families with income of 10,000 THB or more (M = 14.44, SD = 3.90 vs. M = 12.80, SD = 4.19). Gender and age showed no significant differences.

These results highlight that factors associated with adolescent loneliness vary according to family structure: gender is a key factor in single-parent families, while family income is more influential in two-parent families.

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