ABSTRACT
LONELINESS is a pervasive psychosocial problem that can affect people throughout the lifespan with impaired quality of life. For example, loneliness tends to be strongly associated with psychological problems such as depression (Cacioppo, Hawkley, & Thisted, 2010; Segrin, 1998) and social anxiety (Stednitz & Epkins, 2006). Loneliness also appears to have deleterious effects on physical health (Hawkley & Cacioppo, 2003; Segrin & Passalacqua, 2010). As the serious consequences of loneliness are beginning to be documented and understood, researchers are attempting to understand the origins or risk factors for loneliness as well as the implications of loneliness for interpersonal well-being. Toward that end, the primary aims of this investigation were to examine family and peer contributions
to loneliness in young adults, to examine the association between loneliness and poor social skills in young adults, and to examine how loneliness and social skills might be directly or indirectly affected by family of origin and peer experiences.
