Dedara Hosiana Kandou, Firmanto Adi Nurcahyo

Loneliness and Suicidal Behavior: A Meta-Analysis

Introduction

Loneliness and suicidal behavior: a meta-analysis. Explore the link between loneliness and suicidal behavior through a meta-analysis of 19 studies (2015-2024). Discover a moderate positive correlation, highlighting loneliness as a contributor to suicidal tendencies.

Abstract

Loneliness is an emotional condition that humans experience as social beings, which can be felt physically and psychologically. Loneliness can have a negative impact on mental health, e.g., causing a sense of isolation, stress, depression, and the development of suicidal tendencies. Several studies have shown variations in the correlation results between loneliness and suicidal behavior. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between loneliness and suicidal behavior across 19 studies (2015–2024) through a meta-analysis. This study used two artifacts, namely sampling and measurement errors. The results of the meta-analysis based on sampling error resulted in a correlation of 0.45, and a correlation of 0.51 was found when accounting for measurement error. The magnitude of the correlation indicates a moderate relationship. Positive correlation results suggest that loneliness can contribute to the emergence of suicidal behavior.

Review

The study "Loneliness and Suicidal Behavior: A Meta-Analysis" addresses a critically important and timely public health concern. Loneliness, described as an emotional condition with significant negative impacts on mental health, is a recognized precursor to various psychological distresses, including suicidal ideation and behavior. Given the societal rise in reported loneliness and its profound implications, a robust synthesis of the existing literature is highly valuable. This meta-analysis, aiming to systematically quantify the correlation between loneliness and suicidal behavior, provides a much-needed aggregation of current research findings. The methodological approach adopted, analyzing 19 studies published between 2015 and 2024, is appropriate for addressing the stated variations in correlation results. A notable strength lies in the correction for methodological artifacts, specifically sampling and measurement errors, which enhances the trustworthiness and generalizability of the reported correlations. The findings reveal a moderate positive correlation: 0.45 after accounting for sampling error, and 0.51 when also correcting for measurement error. These results consistently indicate that increased loneliness is associated with a greater likelihood of suicidal behavior, reinforcing existing theoretical frameworks that link social isolation and psychological distress to suicidality. This meta-analysis significantly strengthens the empirical evidence base, offering a clear and consolidated message regarding the relationship between loneliness and suicidal behavior. The moderate positive correlation underscores loneliness as a substantial risk factor, with direct implications for prevention and intervention strategies. Clinicians and public health professionals should consider loneliness a key target for assessment and therapeutic intervention in individuals at risk for suicidal ideation or behavior. This work serves as a vital update to the literature, emphasizing the urgency of addressing loneliness in mental health initiatives.

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