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Post-lockdown loneliness and social isolation among French students

Emmanuelle Dutertre (ESSCA School of Management, Angers, France)
Cyril Fouillet (ESSCA School of Management, Angers, France)

International Journal of Educational Management

ISSN: 0951-354X

Article publication date: 4 December 2023

Issue publication date: 18 January 2024

108

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the protective and risk factors involved in student loneliness after the lockdown measures taken limiting social contact during the COVID-19 pandemic in France.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a cross-sectional survey methodology, the authors collected data on a sample of 546 students pursuing management education in a French business school in several campuses. Loneliness was measured by the three-item UCLA loneliness scale. Logistic regression analysis examined the factors influencing student loneliness.

Findings

The prevalence of loneliness was 23.4%. Risk factors for loneliness were social isolation especially in terms of intensity and isolation from friends (OR: 5.40), having a regular paid activity (OR: 1.62) and not getting academic help from other students (OR: 2.11) or taking meals alone during the lockdowns (OR: 1.94). Being a male student (OR: 0.47), practicing a sport (OR: 0.64) and studying at a specific campus (OR: 0.43) were protective factors.

Practical implications

Understanding protective and risk factors affecting student loneliness helps higher education decision-makers to take the necessary actions to enhance student well-being which have an effect on learning processes.

Originality/value

Loneliness is a major public health concern among students. Knowledge of the determinants for loneliness are limited and this article attempts to augment this by exploring several protective and risk indicators of loneliness among French students.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors of this article wish to record their thanks to the Fondation Grand Ouest (France) which provided the funds that made this research possible.

Citation

Dutertre, E. and Fouillet, C. (2024), "Post-lockdown loneliness and social isolation among French students", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 38 No. 1, pp. 21-39. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-03-2023-0119

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited

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