Between emotional dependency and loneliness: a cross-sectional study with medical students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29352/mill0227.40233Keywords:
dependency; loneliness; medicine; interpersonal relationshipsAbstract
Introduction: Emotional dependency and feelings of loneliness have emerged as critical areas of study, reflecting the challenges faced by contemporary society and higher education.
Objective: To analyze the relationship between emotional dependency and feelings of loneliness among medical students.
Methods: The study employed a quantitative approach, non-experimental, and cross-sectional in design. A total of 224 medical students aged between 17 and 35 years participated, selected through non-probability sampling. Two instruments were used: the Emotional Dependency Questionnaire (EDQ) and the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale.
Results: No significant correlation was found between emotional dependency and feelings of loneliness (p = .382, Rho = .059). 61.61% exhibited moderate emotional dependency, while 74.55% reported moderate feelings of loneliness, and no relationships were identified between the dimensions of the variables. Women showed greater susceptibility to feelings of loneliness than men, but emotional dependency was similar in both groups
Conclusion: Although the overall findings do not support a significant relationship between emotional dependency and loneliness, these results suggest that feelings of loneliness and emotional dependency may operate independently in this population, with exceptions in specific contexts. Attention should be paid to women regarding issues of loneliness from a psychological perspective.
Downloads
References
Alimoradi, Z., Zarabadipour, S., Arrato, N. A., Griffiths, M. D., Andersen, B. L., & Bahrami, N. (2022). The relationship between cognitive schemas activated in sexual context and early maladaptive schemas among married women of childbearing age. BMC Psychology, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00829-1
Arbinaga, F., Mendoza-Sierra, M. I., Caraballo-Aguilar, B. M., Buiza-Calzadilla, I., Torres-Rosado, L., Bernal-López, M., García-Martínez, J., & Fernández-Ozcorta, E. J. (2021). Jealousy, Violence, and Sexual Ambivalence in Adolescent Students According to Emotional Dependency in the Couple Relationship. Children, 8(11), 993. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8110993
Bell, K. M., Howard, L., & Cornelius, T. L. (2020). Emotion Dysregulation as a Moderator of the Association Between Relationship Dependency and Female-Perpetrated Dating Aggression. Journal Of Interpersonal Violence, 37(5-6), NP2891-NP2911. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260520945678
Berduzco-Torres, N., Medina, P., Choquenaira-Callanaupa, B., San-Martín, M., Delgado Bolton, R. C., & Vivanco, L. (2020). Family Loneliness: Its Effects in the Development of Empathy, Teamwork and Lifelong Learning Abilities in Medical Students. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02046
Borys, S., & Perlman, D. (1985). Gender Differences in Loneliness. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 11(1), 63-74. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167285111006
Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss. Random House. https://mindsplain.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ATTACHMENT_AND_LOSS_VOLUME_I_ATTACHMENT.pdf
Buecker, S., Maes, M., Denissen, J. J. A., & Luhmann, M. (2020). Loneliness and the Big Five Personality Traits: A Meta–Analysis. European Journal Of Personality, 34(1), 8-28. https://doi.org/10.1002/per.2229
Cacioppo, J. T., & Hawkley, L. C. (2009). Perceived social isolation and cognition. Trends In Cognitive Sciences, 13(10), 447-454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2009.06.005
Castillo-Gonzáles, M., Mendo-Lázaro, S., León-del-Barco, B., Terán-Andrade, E., & López-Ramos, V.-M. (2024). Dating Violence and Emotional Dependence in University Students. Behavioral Sciences, 14(3), 176. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14030176
Castro Alburneque, A. L., & Quiroz Macera, H. T. (2021). Propiedades psicométricas del cuestionario de dependencia emocional (CDE) en jóvenes adultos de la ciudad de Piura, 2021 [tesis de titulación, Universidad César Vallejo]. Repositorio Digital Institucional UCV. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12692/89224
Chiao, C., Kuo, P., Li, D., & Hu, S. C. (2022). The changes in feeling of loneliness after retirement among baby boomers and pre-boomers in Taiwan: Do work-family conflict before retirement and social engagement after retirement matter? SSM - Population Health, 20, 101264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101264
Chura-Quispe, G., Bullon, Y. S. N. R., Estrada-Araoz, E. G., Pujaico-Espino, J. R., & Mamani-Velasquez, D. E. (2025). Phubbing and Feelings of Loneliness: A Study with Future Health Professionals. Educational Process International Journal, 15(1), e2025182. https://doi.org/10.22521/edupij.2025.15.182
Conley, C. S., Huguenel, B. M., Shapiro, J. B., & Kirsch, A. C. (2023). Developmental Trajectories and Predictors of Psychological Well-Being and Distress Across the College Years. The Journal Of Higher Education, 94(6), 792-821. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221546.2023.2171213
Copeland, M., Fisher, J. C., Moody, J., & Feinberg, M. E. (2018). Different Kinds of Lonely: Dimensions of Isolation and Substance Use in Adolescence. Journal Of Youth And Adolescence, 47(8), 1755-1770. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-018-0860-3
Damian, Y. E. (2024). Dependencia emocional, percepción de exclusión social y trastorno depresivo mayor en estudiantes de una Universidad Pública, Región Lima-2023 [tesis de doctorado, Universidad César Vallejo]. https://repositorio.ucv.edu.pe/handle/20.500.12692/149667
De Jong Gierveld, J., & Van Tilburg, T. (1999). Manual of the Loneliness Scale. VU University Amsterdam, Department of Social Research Methodology. https://doi.org/10.17605/osf.io/u6gck
De la Villa-Moral, M., Sirvent, C., Ovejero, A., & Cuetos, G. (2018). Dependencia emocional en las relaciones de pareja como Síndrome de Artemisa: modelo explicativo. Terapia PsicolóGica, 36(3), 156-166. https://doi.org/10.4067/s0718-48082018000300156
Dias, F., Peixoto Camacho, T. B. P., & Da Silva Reis, E. E. (2023). Emotional Dependency and the Impacts on the Lives of People: An Integrative Literature Review. International Journal of Scientific Research, 12(8), 5-9. https://www.doi.org/10.36106/ijsr/9026692
Diehl, K., Jansen, C., Ishchanova, K., & Hilger-Kolb, J. (2018). Loneliness at Universities: Determinants of Emotional and Social Loneliness among Students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(9), 1865. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15091865
Dyrbye, L. N., West, C. P., Satele, D., Boone, S., Tan, L., Sloan, J., Shanafelt, T. (2014). Burnout Among U.S. Medical Students, Residents, and Early Career Physicians Relative to the General U.S. Population. Academic Medicine 89(3), 443-451. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACM.0000000000000134
Fredella, D., & Sosialita, T. D. (2023). Hubungan ketergantungan emosi dan kesepian pada emerging adulthood yang menjalani pacaran jarak jauh. Jurnal Syntax Fusion, 3(9), 937-947. https://doi.org/10.54543/fusion.v3i09.357
García, R. A., Chura, G., Llapa, M. P., & Arancibia, L. (2022). Validación de cuestionario de satisfacción de la enseñanza virtual para educación secundaria. Revista Fuentes, 24(2), 162–173. https://doi.org/10.12795/revistafuentes.2022.19773
Hussin, S. H., Awang, A. I., Taibi, M., & Hussin., S. R. (2021). Loneliness, Coping Strategies and Perceived Social Support among Students of Public Universities in Malaysia during the Covid-19 MCO. International Journal of Business and Society, 22(3), 1402–1419. https://doi.org/10.33736/ijbs.4311.2021
Incil, D. J. (2023). Soledad en adolescentes varones y mujeres de una institución educativa de Cajamarca - 2023 [Tesis de licenciatura, Universidad Privada del Norte]. Repositorio de la Universidad Privada del Norte. https://hdl.handle.net/11537/36533
Kirtchuk, D., Wells, G., Levett, T., Castledine, C., & De Visser, R. (2021). Understanding the impact of academic difficulties among medical students: A scoping review. Medical Education, 56(3), 262-269. https://doi.org/10.1111/medu.14624
Lan, Z., Liu, H., Huang, X., Wang, Q., Deng, F., & Li, J. (2023). The Impact of Academic Pressure and Peer Support on Adolescents’ Loneliness: A Polynomial Regression and Response Surface Analysis. Psychology Research And Behavior Management, 16, 4617-4627. https://doi.org/10.2147/prbm.s435977
Lemos, M., & Londoño, N. H. (2006). Construcción y validación del cuestionario de dependencia emocional en población colombiana. Acta Colombiana de Psicología, 9(2), 127-140. https://actacolombianapsicologia.ucatolica.edu.co/article/view/405
Luo, Q., & Shao, R. (2023). The positive and negative emotion functions related to loneliness: A systematic review of behavioural and neuroimaging studies. Deleted Journal, 3. https://doi.org/10.1093/psyrad/kkad029
Luo, X., & Hu, C. (2022). Loneliness and sleep disturbance among first‐year college students: The sequential mediating effect of attachment anxiety and mobile social media dependence. Psychology In The Schools, 59(9), 1776-1789. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22721
Macía, L., Jauregui, P., & Estevez, A. (2023). Emotional dependence as a predictor of emotional symptoms and substance abuse in individuals with gambling disorder: differential analysis by sex. Public Health, 223, 24-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2023.07.023
Maes, M., Qualter, P., Vanhalst, J., Van den Noortgate, W., & Goossens, L. (2019). Gender Differences in Loneliness across the Lifespan: A Meta–Analysis. European Journal of Personality, 33(6), 642-654. https://doi.org/10.1002/per.2220
Michalska, M. M., Czerwiński, S. K., Lowder, A. H., & Jonason, P. K. (2022). Feeling low and lonely: Personality traits, love styles, and social rejection. Personality And Individual Differences, 204, 112068. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2022.112068
Nottage, M. K., Oei, N. Y., Wolters, N., Klein, A., Van Der Heijde, C. M., Vonk, P., Wiers, R. W., & Koelen, J. (2021). Loneliness mediates the association between insecure attachment and mental health among university students. Personality And Individual Differences, 185, 111233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2021.111233
O’Súilleabháin, P. S., Gallagher, S., & Steptoe, A. (2019). Loneliness, Living Alone, and All-Cause Mortality: The Role of Emotional and Social Loneliness in the Elderly During 19 Years of Follow-Up. Psychosomatic Medicine, 81(6), 521-526. https://doi.org/10.1097/psy.0000000000000710
Quiroz, I. X., Godinez, M. G., Jahuey, A. M., Montes, M. L., & Ortega, N. A. (2021). Autoestima y dependencia emocional en relaciones de pareja de estudiantes universitarios. Educación Y Salud Boletín Científico Instituto De Ciencias De La Salud Universidad Autónoma Del Estado De Hidalgo, 9(18), 91-98. https://doi.org/10.29057/icsa.v9i18.6314
Ryan, R., & Deci, E. L. (2000). La Teoría de la Autodeterminación y la Facilitación de la Motivación Intrínseca, el Desarrollo Social, y el Bienestar. American psychologist, 55(1), 68-78. https://abrir.link/lPwBv
Sam, C. P., Mamat, N. H., & Nadarajah, V. D. (2022). An exploratory study on the challenges faced and coping strategies used by preclinical medical students during the COVID-19 crisis. Korean Journal Of Medical Education, 34(2), 95-106. https://doi.org/10.3946/kjme.2022.222
Tao, Y., Wu, J., Huang, L., Zheng, K., Liu, H., Tian, H., & Peng, L. (2024). The relationship between health-promoting behaviors and negative emotions in college freshmen: a cross-lagged analysis. Frontiers In Public Health, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1348416
Urbiola, I., Estévez, A., Iruarrizaga, I., & Jauregui, P. (2017). Dependencia emocional en jóvenes: relación con la sintomatología ansiosa y depresiva, autoestima y diferencias de género. Ansiedad y Estrés, 23(1), 6-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anyes.2016.11.003
Valladares-Garrido, D., Quiroga-Castañeda, P. P., Berrios-Villegas, I., Zila-Velasque, J. P., Anchay-Zuloeta, C., Chumán-Sánchez, M., Vera-Ponce, V. J., Pereira-Victorio, C. J., Failoc-Rojas, V. E., Díaz-Vélez, C., & Valladares-Garrido, M. J. (2023) Depression, anxiety, and stress in medical students in Peru: a cross-sectional study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1268872
Van Tonder, J. I., Jordaan, J., & Esterhuyse, K. (2023). Self-esteem, Interpersonal Communication Competence, and Media and Technology Usage as Predictors of Loneliness Among University Students. SAGE Open, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221148379
Vargas, A. M., Abanto Veléz, W. I., Barranzuela, L. A., & Odar Adrianzen, G. del P. (2024). Dependencia emocional en mujeres con estudios universitarios y técnico superior de la ciudad de Trujillo. SCIÉNDO, 27(2), 267-271. https://doi.org/10.17268/sciendo.2024.039
Vasileiou, K., Barnett, J., Barreto, M., Vines, J., Atkinson, M., Long, K., Bakewell, L., Lawson, S., & Wilson, M. (2019). Coping with loneliness at University: A qualitative interview study with students in the UK. Mental Health & Prevention, 13, 21-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhp.2018.11.002
Ventura, J., & Caycho, T. (2016). Análisis psicométrico de una escala de dependencia emocional en universitarios peruanos. Revista de Psicología, 25(1), 1-17. http://dx.doi.org/10.5354/0719-0581.2016.42453
Wenig, V., Heumann, E., Stock, C., Busse, H., Negash, S., Pischke, C. R., & Heinrichs, K. (2023). Associations of loneliness with mental health and with social and physical activity among university students in Germany: results of the COVID-19 German student well-being study (C19 GSWS). Frontiers In Public Health, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1284460
Wickrama, K. A. S., & O’Neal, C. W. (2020). Mastery and Marital Processes: Mechanisms Linking Midlife Economic Adversity and Later‐Life Loneliness for Husbands and Wives in Enduring Marriages. Family Process, 60(3), 836-852. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12611
Wols, A., Scholte, R., & Qualter, P. (2015). Prospective associations between loneliness and emotional intelligence. Journal Of Adolescence, 39(1), 40-48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2014.12.007
Wolters, N. E., Mobach, L., Wuthrich, V. M., Vonk, P., Van Der Heijde, C. M., Wiers, R. W., Rapee, R. M., & Klein, A. M. (2023). Emotional and social loneliness and their unique links with social isolation, depression and anxiety. Journal Of Affective Disorders, 329, 207-217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.02.096
Wong, W. L., & Cheung, S. (2024). The role of hope in college transition: Its cross‐lagged relationships with psychosocial resources and emotional well‐being in first‐year college students. Journal Of Adolescence, 96(4), 771-788. https://doi.org/10.1002/jad.12297
Zahedi, H., Sahebihagh, M. H., & Sarbakhsh, P. (2022). The Magnitude of Loneliness and Associated Risk Factors Among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry, 17(4), 411-417. https://doi.org/10.18502/ijps.v17i4.10690
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Millenium - Journal of Education, Technologies, and Health
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who submit proposals for this journal agree to the following terms:
a) Articles are published under the Licença Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0), in full open-access, without any cost or fees of any kind to the author or the reader;
b) The authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication, allowing the free sharing of work, provided it is correctly attributed the authorship and initial publication in this journal;
c) The authors are permitted to take on additional contracts separately for non-exclusive distribution of the version of the work published in this journal (eg, post it to an institutional repository or as a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal;
d) Authors are permitted and encouraged to publish and distribute their work online (eg, in institutional repositories or on their website) as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as increase the impact and citation of published work
Documents required for submission
Article template (Editable format)
