Loneliness correlates in advanced alcohol abusers. II. Clinical and psychological factors

The current study was performed in order to extend a preceding correlational analysis of loneliness to clinical and psychological parameters in a sample of 95 alcohol abusers. The alcoholics were examined twice with an approximate interval fo two years. In the preceding analysis of social factors and needs, the lonely abuser appeared as discontented and somewhat passive in essential life-spheres. This pattern was highly confirmed in the current study. In the psychological part, life-dissatisfaction and indolence were especially pronounced by the lonely abusers. The association between loneliness and lack of self-esteem was also extraordinarily marked, while the relations to some neurotic-tinged parameters were at a more ordinary level. In the clinical psychiatric part of the study, a number of relations of medium degree confirmed the link to psychopathology. Achievements on the intellectual tests were nonrelated to loneliness, as were also most of the biochemical laboratory test results. The main conclusion was that loneliness primarily is a sensitive indicator of perceived quality of life and attitude to life as a whole.