Cognitive Discrepancy Model of Loneliness

Also known as: UCLA Loneliness · Subjective loneliness · Social isolation

Loneliness arises from a perceived discrepancy between one's desired and actual social relationships. It is a subjective experience — objective social isolation and subjective loneliness are related but distinct. The model predicts that loneliness depends not on the number of contacts but on the gap between what a person wants and what they have.

Source:

Perlman, D., & Peplau, L. A. (1981). Toward a social psychology of loneliness. In S. Duck & R. Gilmour (Eds.), Personal relationships in disorder (pp. 31-56). Academic Press. Russell, D. (1996). UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3): Reliability, validity, and factor structure. Journal of Personality Assessment, 66(1), 20-40.

DOI:

10.1207/s15327752jpa6601_2