Assessing Loneliness in Newcomer Families with Young Children in Hamilton, Ontario

Abstract

This study was a secondary analysis of a convenient sample to assess the prevalence of loneliness among newcomers with young children in Hamilton, Ontario (N=173), using the UCLA Loneliness Scale to categorize experiences of loneliness. Descriptive statistics, including central tendency measures, frequencies, and measures of dispersion, were used to understand the diversity of the newcomer population. Participants had a mean age of 35.4 years (SD = 6.35), with ages ranging from 19 to 54. Most were female (58%) and had been in Canada for an average of 19 months (SD = 17.94). The average UCLA Loneliness Scale score was 51.64 (SD = 5.6), indicating moderate to moderately high loneliness, with no participants scoring in the low or high categories of the UCLA loneliness scale. This study also assessed the association between loneliness (UCLA scale) and depression (CES-D scale). The CES-D depression score (M = 18.7, SD = 7.71) suggested mild to moderate depressive symptoms. A correlation analysis showed a positive association between loneliness and depression. A linear regression analysis confirmed the association and was reversed to use depression as predictor of loneliness. A multiple linear regression analysis identified immigration status and region of origin as significant predictors of loneliness, while gender, marital status, education, and income were not. These findings highlight the significant loneliness experienced by newcomer parents and emphasize the need for targeted interventions to support their social integration and mental well-being. The findings suggest that it may be important to consider immigration status and region of origin in future expanded studies of loneliness among newcomer families with young children.