INTERPERSONAL RELATEDNESS AND SELF-DEFINITION IN THE EXPERIENCE OF LONELINESS DURING THE TRANSITION TO UNIVERSITY

Blatt's (1990) theory on the two primary dimensions in personality - i nterpersonal relatedness and self-definition-was applied to the study of loneliness during the transition to university. Participants were 1 76 students (84 males and 92 females) who completed the Depressive Exp eriences Questionnaire (DEQ) at the beginning of first-year university (time 1) and the UCLA Loneliness Scale (trait and state versions) at the beginning and at the middle of Dst-year university (time 2). A sub sample of students (n = 74) also completed Sharabany's Intimacy Scale at time 2. Trait loneliness was accounted for by higher levels of Self -Criticism (SC) and lower levels of Efficacy (E). Change in state lone liness from time 1 to time 2 (i.e., overcoming state loneliness) was p redicted by lower Self-Criticism and higher Efficacy. In the relations hip with an intimate partner, Self-Criticism negatively predicted fran kness, sensitivity, and trust, whereas Dependency positively predicted attachment, giving, and trust. The centrality of self-criticism in vu lnerability to loneliness and in lack of intimacy is discussed, and di rections for future research on loneliness and personality styles are suggested.