Emotion Suppression and Peer Rejection as Predictors of Loneliness in Female Adolescents
Keywords:
Loneliness, Emotion Suppression, Peer Rejection, Female AdolescentsAbstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the predictive roles of emotion suppression and peer rejection on loneliness in female adolescents.
Methods and Materials: A correlational descriptive design was employed, involving 385 female adolescents recruited from various secondary schools in Tunisia. Participants completed a battery of standardized self-report measures assessing loneliness, emotion suppression, and peer rejection. Stratified random sampling ensured diverse socio-economic representation and adherence to ethical guidelines. Data were analyzed using SPSS-27. Descriptive statistics were generated to summarize participant characteristics and overall scores. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the relationships between loneliness and each predictor. Subsequently, linear regression analysis was performed to determine how emotion suppression and peer rejection simultaneously contributed to loneliness.
Findings: Pearson correlation showed significant positive relationships between loneliness and emotion suppression (r = .41, p < .01), as well as between loneliness and peer rejection (r = .52, p < .01). The two predictors were also significantly related to each other (r = .38, p < .01). Regression analysis indicated that the model was significant (F(2, 382) = 97.46, p < .001), accounting for 34% of the variance in loneliness (R² = .34). Both emotion suppression (β = .29, p < .001) and peer rejection (β = .41, p < .001) uniquely and significantly contributed to loneliness in female adolescents.
Conclusion: Findings highlight that both emotion regulation patterns and social experiences play crucial roles in adolescent loneliness. Adolescents who suppress their emotions or encounter persistent peer rejection appear at a higher risk for feeling isolated. Identifying and addressing these two predictors may be integral to developing targeted interventions aimed at reducing loneliness and promoting emotional well-being among female adolescents in culturally diverse settings.
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