The Relationship between Loneliness and Depression in Children of Divorce

The present study aims to investigate the relationship between loneliness and depression in children of divorce. In methodological terms, the study is conducted in the form of a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical research project. The statistical population of the study includes all the children of divorce living in Kermanshah province, Iran, in 2014. Convenient sampling procedures were conducted for the selection of the sample population. The statistical sample of this study consists of 100 children of divorce living in Kermanshah province. For data collection, we used the Beck Depression Inventory and the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Data were analyzed using statistical methods and by recourse to such indices as frequency, mean value, standard deviation and the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. The results of the study suggest that there is no significant relationship between age and depression. Similarly, there is no significant relationship between age and loneliness. Nevertheless, there is a significant relationship between depression and loneliness. In conclusion, an increased sense of loneliness is associated with increased rates of depression in children of divorce.

depression, loneliness, children of divorce