A Survey to Assess Loneliness and Predictive Factors Among Students at a US Medical School

This study examined levels of loneliness among medical students at a US medical school and identified demographic and lifestyle factors associated with increased loneliness.

An anonymous cross-sectional survey using the 20-item UCLA Loneliness Scale was distributed to all medical students. The survey also collected data on demographics, living arrangements, financial limitations, extracurricular involvement, and social habits. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare mean loneliness scores across categorical variables. Multivariable linear regression assessed associations between various factors and loneliness scores, with a supplementary logistic regression serving as a robustness check.

A total of 194 student responses were included, reflecting a response rate of 22% after 79 surveys were excluded for quality. The mean loneliness score was 44.1 (SD = 11.1), with 43 (22%) students scoring in the low range (20-34), 89 (46%) in the moderate range (35-49), 52 (27%) in the moderately high range (50-64), and 10 (5%) in the high range (65-80). Higher loneliness scores were significantly associated with less frequent family contact, limited participation in activities due to financial constraints, and reduced socialization outside of school. Identifying as a cisgender woman was a protective factor against loneliness.

Medical students in this sample experienced moderate levels of loneliness on average. Key predictors of higher loneliness included financial barriers to socialization, decreased family interaction, and limited social activity. Given potential academic and emotional consequences of loneliness, medical schools should consider implementing interventions that promote social support and reduce barriers to socialization.