Predictive Roles of Cognitive and Behavioural Emotion Regulation Strategies on Loneliness among Undergraduate Students at Redeemer's University, Nigeria
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2024-06-01
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Abstract
Loneliness is a public health concern as it tends to be a risk factor for mental disorders. This study investigated the predictive impact of cognitive and behavioural emotion regulation on loneliness among undergraduate students at Redeemer's University Ede, Osun State. A Cross sectional research design was employed for the study. A convenient sampling technique was adopted in selecting a total of 321 participants (224 females and 97 males) (Mean age=18.30, SD=1.78). The sample responded to self-report measures of Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), Behavioural Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (BERQ) and 3-item Loneliness Scale. Three hypotheses were generated and tested using Multiple and Linear Regression analyses. Results showed that participants who felt lonely were characterised cognitively by greater use of rumination (β=.22, p < .01) and self-blame (β=.22, p < .01), and lesser use of other cognitive strategies. Behaviourally, loneliness was characterized by greater use of actively ignoring stressful situations (β= .16, p < .01). Gender and age did not predict loneliness. Still, gender has a significant relationship with withdrawal [r (319) = .12, p < .05] while age has with acceptance [r (319) = -.11, p < .05] and ignoring [r (319) = -.22, p < .01]. Based on the findings of this study, it is seen that individual differences in emotion regulation may play an important role in explaining loneliness and could therefore represent a promising treatment plan.