Use of chemical agents and avoidance of ontological confrontation of loneliness

The Avoidance of the Ontological Confrontation of Loneliness Scale was used to assist the psychometric documentation of choice of an avoidance versus confrontation strategy to the issue of loneliness. Data were obtained from 118 males and 183 females (median age approximately 30 yr.) selected from both community and university locations in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Analysis showed low scorers (confronters) reported less use of medications and hard drugs than medium and high scorers. High scorers (avoiders) reported less use of tobacco than both medium and low groups as well as less use of alcoholic beverages than the medium scorers. Results were compared with earlier research findings between the Loneliness scale and the use of various chemical agents.