Exploring the dual continuum of belonging and loneliness among college students in the US

Loneliness and belonging are associated with negative determinants of mental health among college students and are often studied independently. The purpose of this study was to explore a dual continuum of belonging and loneliness using data from the US National College Health Assessment (Spring 2023; n  = 78,024). Multivariate and univariate analyses of variance were utilized to understand associations between the DCBL on measures of psychosocial functioning. Most students were socially fulfilled (low loneliness/high belonging). A significant multivariate effect of DCBL subgroup membership on the combined psychosocial functioning outcomes was found. Post-hoc ANOVAs demonstrated significant group differences for all outcomes, as socially fulfilled students exhibited the most adaptive profiles, and socially distressed students reported the least adaptive. Loneliness was more strongly associated with psychological distress and suicide risk than belonging, whereas the two constructs contributed more evenly to well-being and resilience.