This pilot study investigates the differential impact of loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic across Eastern and Western societies, focusing on the cultural dimensions of individualism and collectivism. A sample of 40 participants from Taiwan region, the United States, Singapore, Europe, and Japan was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicated that Western participants reported higher levels of loneliness, particularly associated with vertical individualism, while Eastern participants showed varying degrees of resilience linked to horizontal collectivism. The findings highlight the need for culturally tailored interventions to address loneliness during global crises.
KeywordsLonelinessCOVID-19 PandemicIndividualismCollectivismCultural DifferencesMental HealthSocial IsolationCross-Cultural Study
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