The interplay between mental resilience, loneliness, and psychological distress: a cross-sectional study in “Siberia of Greece”

Introduction Community center recipients often face depression and anxiety, compounded by socioeconomic factors like poverty and unemployment. Materials and methods The study surveyed 120 community center recipients in a remote area of Greece. Participants were administered a questionnaire, including socio-demographic data, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), the UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS-20), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISK-25) and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0. Results The total scale of depression, anxiety, and stress was negatively correlated with age ( p = 0.015), while chronic physical illness ( p = 0.019) and feelings of loneliness ( p = 0.003) were related to depression, anxiety, and stress. Living arrangements ( p = 0.019) were directly correlated with meaning in life ( p = 0.003) and mental resilience ( p = 0.007). Discussion Mental resilience and meaning in life were protective factors, against depression, anxiety, and stress. Loneliness was a risk factor for psychological distress, while chronic physical illnesses and living alone were risk factors for depression and loneliness. Although older age was a protective factor against psychological distress, being married was associated with anxiety. The study emphasizes that mental health is deeply intertwined with social connectivity and physical health. Interventions should prioritize reducing loneliness and fostering resilience to mitigate the impact of socioeconomic stressors. Future strategies should aim to enhance tailored psychosocial approaches by leveraging family support systems and helping individuals find meaning in their lives.