SOCIAL ISOLATION AND LONELINESS IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Objective: to identify publications on social isolation and loneliness in university students and factors related to these health problems. Method: Integrative literature review, based on a search in five databases: Medline, PsycInfo, Science Direct, Web of Science and LILACS, using the following terms: Social Isolation, Loneliness and Students. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 28 articles of different nationalities were selected. Results: It was evident that social isolation and loneliness in university students are associated with numerous negative conditions and health risk behaviors. On the other hand, the important role of social support and a sense of community in coping with loneliness was identified. Conclusions: there are impacts of social isolation and loneliness on the health of university students, characterizing these two phenomena as important public health problems that demand attention from researchers and health workers.