The structural relationship between psychological distress and the meaning of life in men with the mediation of loneliness

Studies have reported a mutual relationship between having meaning in life and psychological distress. However, various factors can affect distress and meaning in men's lives. Therefore, it is essential to identify these factors to reduce psychological distress and prevent suicide among men. Thus, the present study investigated the structural relationship between psychological distress and the meaning of life through the mediation of loneliness in men. The research design was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population of the research included men in Tabriz city, out of which 236 men were selected based on Kline’s opinion and available sampling method. The scales used in this research study included social-emotional loneliness questionnaires for adults, meaning of life, and psychological distress. Pearson's correlation coefficient and structural equation modelling were used to analyze the data. The results of structural equation modeling showed that psychological distress had a significant direct effect on removing meaning in life and feeling lonely. Also, loneliness directly affected the meaning in life and indirectly affected the relationship between psychological distress and meaning in men's lives. In general, the results of the study indicate that loneliness can affect psychological distress and meaning in men's lives. It can be claimed that existential psychotherapy and increasing social interactions reduce psychological distress and loneliness and mutually increase meaning in men's lives.