Loneliness and emotion regulation: implications of having social anxiety disorder

Abstract

Objective: Individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) are more likely to feel lonely compared with those without the disorder (NOSAD). Loneliness is also associated with increased emotion regulation deficits. In this study, we examined the relationships among different emotion regulation processes and loneliness in individuals with and without a diagnosis of SAD. Method: We recruited demographically matched groups comprising 42 participants with a primary diagnosis of SAD, and 42 participants from the broader community who acted as the NOSAD sample. Results: In line with predictions, loneliness severity and difficulties with regulating emotions differed between a SAD and NOSAD sample. We also found that loneliness in those with SAD was positively associated with the clarity and awareness subscales of the Difficulties with Emotion Regulation Scale. Conclusion: Overall, those with SAD reported more difficulties regulating emotions and higher loneliness compared with the sample with NOSAD. Results are discussed in line with theoretical and clinical implications. KEY POINTS What is already known about this topic: (1) Loneliness is associated with poor mental health. (2) Social anxiety symptoms predict higher loneliness over time and vice versa. (3) Emotion regulation capacity is related to both social anxiety and loneliness. What this topic adds: (1) Compares loneliness and emotion regulation across clinical and NOSAD samples. (2) Difficulties in emotion regulation ability are uniquely associated with loneliness in the sample with social anxiety disorder compared to those without social anxiety disorder. (3) Provides a rationale to target emotion regulation deficits.

Keywords

• cognitive reappraisal
• difficulties regulating emotions
• expressive suppression
• loneliness
• social anxiety disorder