Attentional Mechanisms Explaining the Loneliness-Performance Relationship
Work loneliness is likely to raise self-evaluative and belongingness concerns as well as
concerns about the possibility of being stigmatized if one’s loneliness is revealed (Jones, 1982).
Perlman & Joshi (1989) found that within North American society the norms of self-reliance can
cause lonely people to feel they should deal with their own dilemma without burdening others
with their problems. They also argue that many lonely people may not mention their sense of
isolation because they feel others will be unable to help them alleviate their discomfort. These
views suggest that, when employees experience work loneliness, they are likely to avoid the
possible stigmas associated with feeling lonely at work and take on a more defensive approach in
their interactions with other coworkers.