The contribution of self-efficacy, social support and participation in the community to predicting loneliness among persons with schizophrenia living in supported residences

The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of self-efficacy, social support, social participation, living arrangement, and employment status to predicting oneliness among 97 individuals (over age 18) who were diagnosed with schizophrenia and lived in supported residences within the community. Method. Participants responded to five self-report questionnaires: a socio-demographic questionnaire, the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the MOS Social Support Survey, and the Participation and Use of Services in the Community Questionnaire. Results. Social support, participation in the community, and living arrangement emerged as significant predictors of loneliness: the higher the participants' levels of social support and participation in leisure and social activities in the community, the lower their levels of loneliness. In addition to these findings, participants living in semi-independent and independent apartments felt lonelier and reported higher levels of social support and social participation in the community than their counterparts living in group homes. Practical implications for mental health professionals and caretakers are discussed.