Loneliness in the Digital World: protocol for a co-produced ecological momentary assessment study in adolescents

Loneliness has been identified as an important public health issue, peaking during adolescence. Previous research has suggested that social interaction is a key factor in loneliness, and positive social interaction can act as a protective factor against loneliness. However, it is unclear whether there are differing impacts of in-person and online social interaction on adolescents' loneliness and mental health. Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) designs are ideally suited for better understanding these associations.

In the 'Loneliness in the Digital World' study, we will use a co-developed EMA design to capture daily social interactions, loneliness and mental health such as positive and negative emotions, depression and anxiety in approximately 200 adolescents aged 12-15 years. We will combine this with comprehensive information gathered from online surveys. Analysing the data using techniques such as dynamic structural equation modelling, we will examine, among other research questions, the associations between online and in-person social interaction and feelings of loneliness. The results can help inform interventions to support adolescents with high levels of loneliness and poor mental health.

We received the ethics approval for the data collection from The Academic and Clinical Central Office for Research and Development, followed by the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine Ethics panel at University of Edinburgh, and finally reviewed by East of Scotland Research Ethics Service. The results will be disseminated through journal publications, conferences and seminar presentations and to relevant stakeholders such as teachers.