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Abstract
Research on loneliness has often been neglected in social development literature but now takes precedence. Adolescents, specifically, are linked to the school environment, which coincides with significant social and biological changes that are occurring. In this meta-analysis twenty-three studies were included focusing on loneliness and critical educational outcomes such as academic achievement and engagement in adolescence (12-17 years old). The analysis included 18,486 participants and revealed a significant negative effect on loneliness and achievement (r = -0.08). Loneliness was also found to have a significant negative effect alongside academic engagement (r = -0.25). Moderator analyses were conducted exploring regional and measurement variations. In a world where social connection has become an increasingly critical issue, the findings of this meta-analysis aim to underscore the importance of studying adolescents in an academic context. With findings valuable for parents and educators, we speak on limitations and further literature enhancement in the discussion.