Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to examine i) changes in loneliness assessed by the UCLA Loneliness Scale, ii) various aspects of social networks, and iii) the relationships between i) and ii), during the adaptive period to situational changes in the lives of freshmen.
Results of the preliminary survey (N=203) suggested that anonymous ratings for the UCLA Loneliness Scale were not biased by need for social approval.
The following results of the main follow-up survey (N=233) were obtained.
1) Only students separated from their family showed decreases in loneliness.
2) Students separated from their family formed new social networks actively, while students with their family kept friendships which they had formed before college entrance.
3) The relationships among loneliness and various aspects of social networks varied with both questionnaire sessions and living situations.
