A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

A comparative study on the intensity of loneliness among Kenyan youth in school and home environments




AuthorsMutiso, Victoria; Ndetei, David; Musyimi, Christine; Nyamai, Pascalyne; Kioko, Denis; Thakya, Diana; Onuonga, Kevin; Malinda, Susan; Kiogora, Yvonne; Achola, Diana; Walusaka, Samuel; Onyango, Veronica; Jeremiah, Eric; Sourander, Andre; Mamah, Daniel

PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP)

Publication year2026

Journal: Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health

Article numbere66

Volume13

eISSN2054-4251

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2026.10172

Publication's open availability at the time of reportingOpen Access

Publication channel's open availability Open Access publication channel

Web address https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2026.10172

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/523241331

Self-archived copy's licenceCC BY

Self-archived copy's versionPublisher`s PDF


Abstract

Loneliness is a public health concern influenced by environmental contexts. Among youth, it manifests differently at school and home, yet research in low-resource settings is limited. This study examined patterns of loneliness and how economic and sociodemographic factors correlate with it in school and home environments among Kenyan youths in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,972 youths aged 14–25 years using a self-administered questionnaires. Analyses included paired t-tests, ANOVA and generalized estimating equations (GEEs). Among participants with complete paired data (n = 1,166), loneliness was significantly higher at school (M =23.15) than at home (M = 21.53). Females reported higher loneliness than males (school: p=.011; home: p<.001). Education level and marital status were significantly related to loneliness at home (p<.001 and p=.022) but not at school. Loneliness at home was higher among the poorest households compared to middle-class households (mean difference =2.556, p=.048). GEE models confirmed these patterns and indicated that employment status influenced differences in loneliness between home and school settings. School settings were linked with higher loneliness, while home loneliness varied by socioeconomic and demographic factors, underscoring the need for targeted interventions addressing environmental and social determinants of youth loneliness.


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Funding information in the publication
This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Grant/Award number: 5R01MH127571-02.


Last updated on 08/05/2026 09:24:47 AM