Factors

Studies have indicated that higher loneliness is also associated with

sociodemographic factors, such as age and gender, and other factors such as
living alone or not being in a relationship (Bu et al., 2020b; Lattika et al.,
2022). Loneliness can also be attributed to internal factors such as low self-
esteem, introvert personality factors; contributing factors include situational
variables such as physical isolation, moving to a new location; and
additionally, it can be a symptom of a psychological disorder such as
depression (Cherry, 2021).

Effects/Signs
Loneliness, in general, has various effects on health. Among others, it has been
associated with a greater risk for all-cause mortality (Rico-Uribe, 2018), multi-
morbidity (Stickley, 2018), depression (Beutel, et al., 2017), and suicidal
behaviors (Stickley, et al., 2016). People tend to lack a quality sleep, easily
awakened and have tendencies of overreacting (Bio, et.al, 2020). Moreover,
poor eating habits, and not enough exercise, negative mood and depression,
less trusting of others, greater attachment to anxiety, inability to connect with
others on a deeper, more intimate level will manifest in a lonely person.

Effect of COVID

Coping
 In order to address the situation, coping mechanisms are utilized.

Coping mechanism, coping behavior or coping strategy, is a behavior someone

engages in to try and insulate or protect themselves from psychological damage

resulting from a problem in life (CAREinMIND, 2019). Coping strategies can be

adaptive or maladaptive. Adaptive strategies include religion, social support,

self-distraction, sports and exercise (Balanza-Martines et.al., 2020), connecting

with others remotely/using social media (Seo, 2021) and helping others while

dependency and substance abuse are considered maladaptive (Thompson et

al., 2018; Baral and Bhagawati, 2019).

Common coping strategies utilized by nursing students included self-

destruction strategy and problem-solving strategies such as developing

objectives to resolve problems, adopting various strategies to solve problems

and finding the meaning of the problematic events (Labrague et al, 2017).

Coping strategies that college students used are seeking emotional support or

connecting with family and friends and the use of substances like vaping

nicotine, alcohol and cannabis use. According to Katella et al., (2020) that

college students cope through maintaining friendships and using social media.

Compared to the study of Wirkus (2020), the coping mechanisms that

college students use are acceptance, planning, seeking emotional support,

substance use, denial, behavioral disengagement and religious coping. From

the two studies, the common

 Other studies have also found that nursing students use the self-

confident approach and seeking social support most. Social support not only

reduces psychological pressure but also changes attitudes toward the methods

of seeking social support and help (Temiz, Z. 2020). Important source of social

support are their nursing peers (Karaca et al., 2019). Informal conversations

provide reassurance, comfort and a validation of their feelings as they provide

an opportunity and safe space to express their frustrations and concerns

(McCloughlen et al., 2020). In addition, discussion with peers can also provide

solutions to dealing with a stressful situation, as these discussions involve

efforts to gain information or emotional support to solve a problem (Lim et al,

2020).

In addition, perceived social support is related to a decrease in loneliness

and an increase in hope (Bojmel, et al., 2021). Music listening which was

among the most effective coping strategies with exercise, sleep, and changing

location was identified to help lower loneliness (Dingle et al., 2021)

According to Golemis (2021), resorting to religion, practicing sports and

sharing thoughts and feelings about COVID-19 with others predicted higher

levels of social responsibility while humor, practicing sports and sharing

thoughts and feelings predicted lower levels of loneliness.

This study will focus on the coping mechanisms used for loneliness.

Little research has been conducted on health and health related behaviors in
the context of loneliness among university students (Jansen, et.al, 2018)

specially nursing students. Thus, it is proper and just that a study targeting

this particular population should be deployed in order to curtail the health

impacts of the pandemic especially on loneliness. Moreover, understanding

coping strategies could help to identify the social and personal resources

required by individuals to mitigate effects as COVID-19 continues, and in

future pandemics.