Does Advanced Theory of Mind Protect Primary-School Children from Loneliness? Longitudinal Relations from 9-10 Years

Advanced theory of mind (AToM) has been associated with several socioemotional consequences, including loneliness. However, the empirical evidence for this relation is mixed, with some studies finding no significant associations. The present study aimed to replicate and extend previous cross-sectional work. Specifically, we investigated the longitudinal associations between AToM and loneliness in late primary school [from grade 3 (G3) to grade 4 (G4)] by assessing 122 children for AToM (social reasoning) skills, loneliness and self-esteem (aged 9.06 ± .33 years, mean ± SD; 68 girls, 54 boys). Regression analyses showed that G4 loneliness was predicted by G3 self-esteem (β = .231, p <.05). However, in contrast with earlier findings, neither concurrent nor longitudinal associations emerged between AToM (social reasoning) and loneliness, suggesting that AToM alone affects children's real-world social functioning less than currently assumed.