Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Psychology

University

Lipscomb University

Publication Date

5-1-2026

Abstract

Loneliness among college students is a growing public health concern with significant implications for mental and physical well-being. Despite living in highly connected environments, many students report profound feelings of loneliness, which can exacerbate mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety. Loneliness also influences cognitive and social processes and has been linked to physical health risks, highlighting the need for effective interventions. This study examined whether Christian-based community engagement served as a protective factor against loneliness among college students. Grounded in Social Support Theory, the study assessed associations among loneliness, general social support, church-based support, religious coping, institutional integration, and attachment-to-God dimensions. Undergraduate students were recruited through in-class course announcements offering extra credit. Participants completed self-report measures of loneliness, social support, church-based support and religious coping, college integration, and attachment to God. Correlational analyses indicated that loneliness was significantly associated with lower general social support, lower church-based social support, lower religious coping, lower social integration, and greater attachment insecurity. In the primary hierarchical regression model, general social support, social integration, and attachment anxiety explained unique variance in loneliness. In a secondary exploratory model that omitted general social support, church-based social support also emerged as a significant negative predictor. Overall, the findings partially supported the study hypotheses and suggest that both social and spiritual-relational factors may play an important role in understanding loneliness among college students.

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