Padmanabhanunni, AnitaPretorius, Tyrone Brian2021-01-042021-01-042021Padmanabhanunni, A., & Pretorius, T. B. (2021). The unbearable loneliness of COVID-19: COVID-19-related correlates of loneliness in South Africa in young adults .Psychiatry Research ,296,113658.1872-712310.1016/j.psychres.2020.113658http://hdl.handle.net/10566/5523This is the first study to examine the association between COVID-19 related variables and loneliness among young adults in South Africa during COVID-19. Participants (N=337) were university students who completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale and five selected subscales of the WHO COVID-19 Behavioural Insights Tool. The mean loneliness scores were significantly higher than previous studies in other contexts as well as studies conducted in the time of COVID-19. Correlational analysis found that greater perceived risk of infection, limited perceived knowledge of COVID-19 and lower appraisals of resilience were associated with increased loneliness. In a regression analysis, when all COVID-19 variables were considered simultaneously, only resilience, self-rated knowledge, and risk perception emerged as significant correlates of loneliness. These findings suggest that loneliness is a significant public health concern in South Africa in the time of COVID-19. It also suggests that self-efficacy and resilience can potentially be reinforced by public health campaigns that focus on enhancing COVID-19-related knowledge and preparedness.enCOVID-19South AfricaLonelinessResilienceRisk perceptionArticle