Loneliness and its Impact on Emerging Adults
In this post I examine loneliness and its impact on quality of life for teens and adults. The information I am referencing comes largely from two sources. First, the book “Atlas of the Heart” and the accompanying research by Brene Brown. Second, a paper titled “Meaning in Life: A Major Predictive Factor for Loneliness Comparable to Health Status and Social Connectedness” by Didac Macia et.al., Frontiers in Psychology, 24 February 2021.
What is loneliness? According to John Cacioppo (a pioneering expert of social neuroscience) and his colleague William Patrick, loneliness is defined as “perceived social isolation.” I would reckon that most people would define loneliness in a similar way. However, because of the “perceived” quality, loneliness is highly subjective. What is noteworthy is that it is not the quantity of social interactions, but the quality of social interaction that merits impact on loneliness. High-quality social interactions are ones that encourage a sense of belonging, where there is a level of intimacy, and time is spent with people who know you (friends, family members, work colleagues, community groups, etc.) However, social connectedness is just one factor contributing to loneliness.
Two other notable factors contributing to loneliness are ‘Health Status’ and ‘Meaning in Life.’ Health status includes mental, physical and cognitive health. The worse their health status (especially mental health), the more likely they are to experience loneliness. Same for Meaning in Life. When someone experiences little meaning in their life, they are more likely to be lonely. Surprisingly, other factors - ‘Lifestyle’ and ‘Socio-Demographic’ - although present, have a much lesser impact.
I will focus this opinion review on ‘Meaning in Life’ factors as they relate to combating loneliness. The most prominent Meaning in Life factor is Sense of Coherence. This can be interpreted as alignment between one’s purpose, values and beliefs, and how they actually behave or spend their time. Are they clear on what matters to them? And are they living life in a way that honors their purpose, values and beliefs? This coherence supports an increase in overall meaning in life and a decrease in loneliness.
So, what does all this mean for our young adults coming of age in the modern world? In many American societies, teens are given fewer opportunities to actively and directly contribute to the functioning or betterment of their communities, than they experienced in the past. For many, the work they do in school is abstract and self-serving, and at home they may not have their own responsibilities or chores to contribute to their household. John Cacioppo shares “To grow into an adulthood for a social species, including humans, is not to become autonomous and solitary, it’s to become the one on whom others can depend. Whether we know it or not, our brain and biology have been shaped to favor this outcome.” When meaning in life and social connectedness increase, the likelihood of loneliness decreases. As educators, parents, and adults in the community, I believe that there are several steps we can take to support our teens navigate entering adulthood in our modern world.
Trust them with manageable responsibilities that have a real impact on the family/classroom/community and encourage interdependence.
Enable high-quality social interactions with friends who help them feel their best.
Ask for their opinions and listen to what they have to say. Give their input equal weight when making decisions that affect the group.
Be curious with them about their life values and encourage activities that give them a sense of coherence or purpose.
Finally, lead by example. Are you clear on your life values? What gives you meaning and purpose? Are you contributing to your community in a meaningful way? Do you prioritize quality social interactions and interdependence?
If you’re uncertain about how to answer the above questions for yourself or want to provide a little more support for your teen, consider setting up a coaching conversation to gain clarity in this area.
