Depression, Hopelessness, Automatic Thoughts and Family Environment as Predictors of Loneliness among Adolescents

The aim of the current investigation was to identify the salient predictors of loneliness among boys and girls. The study was conducted on 110 males and females each in the age range from 15 to 17 years. The sample was drawn randomly from schools in Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali. For this purpose, the tests administered were UCLA Loneliness Scale, Hopelessness Scale, Automatic Thoughts Scale, Family Environment Scale. Results revealed a positive and significant relationship between depression, hopelessness and automatic thoughts for both males and females. The step wise multiple regression analysis revealed depression as the salient predictor for both males and females followed by conflict and negative automatic thoughts.