Loneliness and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Dutch general population: The moderating role of psychological flexibility

Previous studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic found an increased risk of loneliness due to measurements taken by governments to limit social interaction. The current study addresses the relationship between loneliness and both positive and negative mental health in times of the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of psychological flexibility.
Data was collected in the Dutch general population (18+) with two online questionnaires (T1- T2), with an interval of four weeks. A sample of 340 participants varying in age from 18 to 83 years (Mage (SD): 52.83 (13) and 61.8 % female), filled in both questionnaires. Loneliness and (the
six core processes of) psychological flexibility were measured at T1 and negative mental health (depression, anxiety and stress) and positive mental health (emotional, psychological and social well-being) at T2.
Regression analyses indicated a positive (prospective) relation between loneliness and depression, anxiety and stress and a negative (prospective) relation between loneliness and emotional, psychological and social well-being. Psychological flexibility had a moderating effect on the relation between loneliness and depression but not on the relation between loneliness and respectively anxiety, stress or well-being. Looking at the six core processes of psychological
flexibility, being present and committed action were significant moderators of the relation between loneliness and depression.
We conclude that while it has yet to be determined whether the moderating relationships found in this study hold beyond COVID-19 conditions, the findings do provide support for the benefits of psychological flexibility to intervene in situations where external circumstances or psychological challenges are beyond one’s control.