Understanding Loneliness and the Prevalence of Loneliness in Young Adults
- Sofia Ramos
- Jun 20
- 3 min read
Written by: Sofia
Edited by: Windy
What age group experiences the most loneliness? While it may be assumed that loneliness is primarily related to older adults, it can occur among various age groups. Loneliness is a feeling that can be characterized by the perceived lack of control of someone’s quality and quantity of social activity (Luhmann, et. al, 2016). Loneliness has been found to be higher in young adults among various groups. While this finding can vary depending on location, young adults are considered the current loneliest age group in Western and developed countries (Fardghassemi, et. al, 2022). However, it is found to then decline until late old age, when it increases again and can go beyond levels of loneliness experienced at the young adult stage of life (Hawkley, et. al, 2022). Lastly, there is a distinction between loneliness and being alone. Loneliness is not confined to solitary life experiences. Loneliness can be considered as perceived social isolation, and being alone can be considered objective social isolation (Luhmann, et. al, 2016). Even though someone may be by themselves, it does not mean they are experiencing loneliness solely because they are not objectively interacting with others.
To fully grasp how and why loneliness is high in youth, there are a few theoretical models that help explain this occurrence. Theoretical models, such as the social needs model, the cognitive discrepancy model, and the multidimensional theory of loneliness, that help explain the feeling (Fardghassemi, et. al, 2022). In the social needs model, the desire for social connection is a basic human need, and when it is not met, the individual is more prone to experience loneliness. In the cognitive discrepancy model, it’s believed that loneliness occurs from a difference between an individual’s actual and ideal level of social relationships. This brings into question how satisfying the social relationships feel to the individual. In that case, the individual may have social relationships, but they may not be meeting their needs (Fardghassemi, et. al, 2022). Finally, multidimensional theory of loneliness makes note of the differences between social and emotional loneliness. While with social loneliness, there is a lack of a social network, in emotional loneliness, there can be a sufficient network with insufficient quality. In other words, in emotional loneliness, the relationships of an individual may not be as meaningful or connected. In addition to this, social loneliness can also occur in individuals with close relationships (Fardghassemi, et. al, 2022).
To understand the personal experience of the feeling, it is important to know the possible precursors and significant effects. Youth may experience loneliness due to their approach to social connections. For instance, in the UK, associations between age, loneliness, and social engagement across adults of different ages have found that young adults tend to value the quantity of their social relationships, making them less likely to experience social loneliness and more likely to experience emotional loneliness. This can also occur from the placing of emphasis on growth of a social network for young adults can lead to ignoring emotional fulfillment needs. Additionally, the prevalence of technology and social media’s focus on follower count or number of friends may contribute to this. Likewise, other precursors for loneliness can be life transitions (educational, employment, household, relational), low family income, or low social class based on parental occupation (Fardghassemi, et. al, 2022). As aforementioned, loneliness can be harmful to physical and mental health. Loneliness has been found to be linked with immune deficiency, poor sleep, psychological stress, depression, anxiety, and more (Fardghassemi, et. al, 2022).
Finally, although loneliness has numerous causes, there are also ways to reduce it. One way is make youth aware of how social media can affect their mental health, values, and pressures they place on themselves. Another way is to spread awareness about passive consumption and increasing active communication between friends when using social media. It is important for young adults to be provided with opportunities to express themselves and connect with others authentically, feeling understood (Fardghassemi, et. al, 2022). Staying involved and being part of social groups or activities can also counter loneliness while common interests are being pursued (Luhmann, et. al, 2016).
References
Fardghassemi, S., & Joffe, H. (2022). The causes of loneliness: The perspective of young adults in London's most deprived areas. PloS one, 17(4), e0264638.
Hawkley, L. C., Buecker, S., Kaiser, T., & Luhmann, M. (2022). Loneliness from Young Adulthood to Old Age: Explaining Age Differences in Loneliness. International journal of behavioral development, 46(1), 39–49.
Luhmann, M., & Hawkley, L. C. (2016). Age differences in loneliness from late adolescence to oldest old age. Developmental psychology, 52(6), 943–959.
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