Introduction Group

Introduction
This study aims to examine the relationship between loneliness and depression levels among
individuals working in the Klang Valley area. Loneliness is an emotional state that arises when a
person feels isolated or lacks social support, while depression is a psychological disorder that
involves feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of motivation (Elisa et al., 2024). For
working individuals, issues of loneliness and depression can have a direct impact on work
productivity, quality of life, and emotional well-being (Bryan et al., 2023).
According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, 4.6% of Malaysia's
population experiences depression, which equates to over one million people. This represents a
twofold increase compared to 2019 (Harian, 2024). Research shows that workers in Malaysia
face issues of loneliness closely related to work pressure and high workloads. A survey found
that 29% of workers reported poor mental health, including feelings of loneliness (Muslim,
2023). Therefore, understanding the relationship between these two elements is crucial for
identifying steps that can be taken to prevent or reduce their negative impact on the mental
health of working individuals.
Population and Respondent Sample
The population of this study consists of working individuals employed in the Klang Valley area,
which includes major cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam, and Subang
Jaya. This area was chosen because it serves as a major business, industrial, and service hub
in Malaysia, with a diverse workforce in terms of background and employment sectors. The
study sample is estimated to involve between 50 to 100 individuals, aged between 25 and 55
years, with employment backgrounds from the public sector, private sector, and business
industries. A random sampling method will be used to ensure the selected sample represents
the diversity of the population being studied.
Instruments
This study uses two selected survey instruments, namely the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
and the UCLA Loneliness Scale. The BDI is used to measure the respondent’s level of
depression through 21 items that assess symptoms such as sadness, feelings of worthlessness,
and loss of energy (Garcia et al., 2018). Each question uses a scale from 0 to 3, with higher
total scores indicating more severe depression. Meanwhile, the UCLA Loneliness Scale
measures the level of loneliness through several questions that assess how much a person
feels lacking in social interaction or emotional support (Panayiotou et al., 2023). Both
instruments provide a comprehensive overview of the relationship between loneliness and
depression.
Study Location and Data Collection Procedure
The study will be conducted in the Klang Valley, an urban area densely populated with workers.
Data will be collected through questionnaires distributed either online (using platforms like
Google Forms) or physically at the respondents' workplaces. Researchers will obtain permission
from organizations or companies to distribute the questionnaires to their employees.
Respondents are expected to complete the questionnaire within 10 to 15 minutes. The data
collected will be kept confidential and analyzed using SPSS version 29 to test the relationship
between loneliness and depression.
Limitations and Challenges of the Study
This study may face several limitations and challenges. First, not all workers or organizations
may be willing to participate in the study, particularly because it involves mental health issues,
which are considered sensitive. Second, there is a possibility of social desirability bias, where
respondents may provide answers they believe are more socially acceptable and do not reflect
their true feelings. Additionally, time and resource constraints may pose challenges in reaching
the desired number of respondents. Lastly, issues of confidentiality and ethics must be
considered, as this study involves sensitive personal data, such as the respondents' depression
levels.
Hypothesis
H₀: There is no significant relationship between loneliness and depression levels among
working individuals in the Klang Valley.
Conclusion and Importance of the Study
This study has the potential to make a significant contribution to our understanding of the
relationship between loneliness and depression among workers, especially in urban areas like
the Klang Valley. Findings from this study can help organizations and employers understand the
importance of providing better social and mental support in the workplace. This could include
mental health programs, counseling, or social activities that can reduce loneliness and the risk
of depression among employees. The study may also pave the way for further research into
other factors affecting the psychological well-being of working individuals in Malaysia.
Bryan, B. T., Andrews, G., Thompson, K. N., Qualter, P., Matthews, T., & Arseneault, L. (2023).
Loneliness in the workplace: a mixed-method systematic review and meta-
analysis. Occupational medicine (Oxford, England), 73(9), 557–567.
https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqad138
Elisa, T., Marja, A., & Siiri-Liisi, K. (2024) Early-life circumstances and late life loneliness
trajectories among Finnish older adults. BMC Geriatrics 24:1.
García-Batista, Z. E., Guerra-Peña, K., Cano-Vindel, A., Herrera-Martínez, S. X., & Medrano, L.
A. (2018). Validity and reliability of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) in general and
hospital population of Dominican Republic. PloS one, 13(6), e0199750.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0199750
Harian, W. S. (2024, May 16). Sejuta rakyat Malaysia alami kemurungan - NHMS | Sinar
Harian. Sinar Harian. https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/665157/berita/nasional/
sejuta-rakyat- malaysia-alami-kemurungan---nhms
Muslim, N. 2023, October 10. Sokongan, Akses Kesihatan mental di tempat kerja masih kurang.
Bernama. https://www.bernama.com/bm/news.php?id=2231734
Panayiotou, M., Badcock, J. C., Lim, M. H., Banissy, M. J., & Qualter, P. (2023). Measuring
Loneliness in Different Age Groups: The Measurement Invariance of the UCLA
Loneliness Scale. Assessment, 30(5), 1688–1715.
https://doi.org/10.1177/10731911221119533

Introduction Group

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Introduction Group

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Introduction

Population and Respondent Sample

Study Location and Data Collection Procedure

Limitations and Challenges of the Study

Conclusion and Importance of the Study

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