Visvantini Kumaran
Background: Over the years, loneliness has become a concerning issue among Malaysians especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Previous research showed that social appearance anxiety, social media usage and relationship perfectionism are contributing factors for loneliness. Hence, this study aims to investigate relationships between these variables and social and emotional loneliness.
Methods: 136 participants were recruited using convenience sampling (Female=71%), aged between 18-35 years old and answered survey which included demographic questions, Social Appearance Anxiety Scale, Bergen’s Social Media Addiction Scale, Relationship Perfectionism Scale, and Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale.
Results: Findings from this study shows that (1) social appearance anxiety, social media addiction, and other-direct relationship perfectionism have positive relationships with social loneliness; (2) social appearance anxiety have positive relationships with emotional loneliness; (3) multiple regression analysis shows that social appearance anxiety and other-direct relationship perfectionism are significant predictors of social loneliness meaning high scores in both predictors lead to high social loneliness.
Conclusion: This study shows that young adults in Malaysia may experience social loneliness due to increase in social appearance anxiety that involves self-doubt and fear of negative evaluation. Also, other-directed relationship perfectionism that involves unrealistic and excessive expectations placed on other people may result in social loneliness.