Loneliness has been associated with multiple negative outcomes. But what contributes to loneliness in
the first place? Drawing from the literature on the importance of self-regulatory ability for successful
social functioning, the present research explored the role of low self-control as a factor leading to
loneliness. A set of four studies (and three additional studies in Supplementary Online Materials) using
cross-sectional, experimental, daily diary, and experience sampling methods showed that lower selfcontrol
is associated with higher loneliness at both trait and state levels. Why does low self-control
contribute to loneliness? Self-control failures that have negative implications for others lead to higher
risks for being ostracized by others, which predicts increased feelings of loneliness over time. These
results suggest that low self-control, which is often associated with negative intrapersonal outcomes,
can have important interpersonal consequences by evoking ostracism, and consequently, loneliness.