Loneliness increases self-centeredness, research conducted over more than a decade indicates, and, to a lesser extent, self-centeredness also increases loneliness. The findings show such effects create a positive feedback loop between the two traits: As increased loneliness heightens self-centeredness, the latter then contributes further to enhance loneliness. The researchers write that targeting self-centeredness as part of an intervention may help break the feedback loop that maintains or worsens loneliness.