Publication date: Jul 08, 2025

This study aims to determine the association between loneliness and depression, anxiety and anger with a representative sample of the general population in Korea, which are the most prevalent mental health problems during the pandemic. Cross-sectional study. National survey across all 17 provinces in South Korea between December 2021 and January 2022. We conducted a national survey on 2699 participants aged 19-84 years using proportional stratified sampling. Using the UCLA Loneliness Scale and standardised questionnaires for depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7) and anger (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Anger), we explored the prevalence and association of loneliness with these mental health outcomes. Primary outcomes included the prevalence and co-occurrence of depression, anxiety and anger across different levels of loneliness. Of total, 20. 7% and 2. 1% experienced moderately high and high levels of loneliness, respectively. Among participants with high levels of loneliness, 11. 8%, 5. 9% and 11. 8% had depression, anxiety and anger, respectively, and 28. 7% of them had depression, anxiety and anger together. The adjusted prevalence of depression was 0. 2 (95% CI 0. 0 to 0. 5), 8. 2 (95% CI 6. 7 to 9. 7), 31. 3 (95% CI 27. 4 to 35. 3) and 63. 5 (95% CI 50. 1 to 76. 8) for low, moderate, moderately high and high levels of loneliness, respectively. Similarly, increased adjusted prevalence of anxiety and anger was observed ㅈwith higher levels of loneliness. Lonely people have a higher risk of depression, anxiety and anger. Identifying individuals who may be vulnerable to loneliness is important for early intervention.

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