Family Experiences, Social Skills, and Feelings of Loneliness During the Transition to College

Abstract

The present research investigates the relationships among family environment, parental attachment, and social skills levels and evaluate their contributions to a successful transition to college for incoming students. This transition was assessed by self-reported levels of loneliness as indicators of successful adjustment. 132 incoming students responded to several questionnaires at the beginning of their first semester and again seven weeks later. Evidence indicated a limited relationship between family influences and social skills levels, but also presents support for a strong relationship between social skills and loneliness as measured at the beginning of the semester. Sex of the student, cohesion of the family, as well as loneliness reported at the beginning of the semester were found to be the main predictors of loneliness at the end of the semester.