Experiences of loneliness and their relation to perceived social support, family functioning, and mental health among Canadian Veterans

Abstract

Introduction: Veterans are particularly susceptible to heightened levels of social isolation and loneliness. This study aimed to explore the relations between loneliness, perceived social support, and mental health symptoms in Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veterans. Methods: Data were drawn from a national online survey of Canadian Veterans and Veteran spouses. Self-report measures assessed demographic and service-related factors, loneliness, perceived social support, family functioning, positive mental health, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and moral injury. Because data collection took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, certain context-specific variables were also collected, including exposure to COVID-19 and pandemic-related behavioural changes. Multiple linear regressions were used to construct explanatory models of loneliness. Results: Adjusting for other demographic variables, higher levels of loneliness in Veterans were associated with lower perceived social support, difficulties in family functioning, elevated mental health symptoms (i.e., PTSD, depression, and anxiety), less contact outside one’s home, and those who were single/ unmarried. Conversely, positive mental health was associated with reduced feelings of loneliness. Discussion: The degree of loneliness is linked to several mental health, social, and demographic factors, which could serve as key indicators for identifying at-risk individuals or act as focal points for intervention. Implementing strategies that promote positive mental health and foster social connections may offer a promising approach to reducing the impact of loneliness.