Social Isolation and Loneliness Among University Students Living Alone and with Others: The Mediating Effects of Interpersonal Mindfulness

This study explored how interpersonal mindfulness mediates the relationship between social isolation and loneliness among university students, comparing those living alone with those living with others. We conducted a survey of university students in Daejeon and analyzed using correlation and mediation analyses. The results revealed that social isolation was positively correlated with loneliness in both groups, while interpersonal mindfulness was negatively correlated with both social isolation and loneliness. For students living alone, social isolation had both direct and indirect effects on loneliness through interpersonal mindfulness. In contrast, for students living with others, social isolation affected loneliness only indirectly via interpersonal mindfulness. These findings suggest that interpersonal mindfulness serves as a protective psychological mechanism in the relationship between social isolation and loneliness. The study provides empirical evidence for differing mediation patterns based on household type and discusses implications for interventions aimed at enhancing interpersonal mindfulness and social relationship support among university students.