THE DISTINCTIVE EXPERIENCE OF LONELINESS IN OLDER ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

The article is devoted to the problem of loneliness in older adolescents. During this period of life, the need for communication and deep, emotional interpersonal relationships is especially urgent and acute. We share the point of view of C. Kileen, that loneliness is «a discrepancy between a person’s social and/or emotional needs/wants, and their social reality.» We also agree with the Ukrainian scientist V. Lashuk, who said that loneliness is «a negative subjective feeling that occurs either in a state of isolation or even being objectively engaged in various spheres of social life and communication, and is accompanied by feelings of exclusion, estrangement, uselessness.» A focus is made on an interpretation of loneliness as a multidimensional construct. Our description of the types of loneliness is based on the classification of R.S. Weiss, who differentiated between the loneliness of emotional isolation and the loneliness of social isolation. The article highlights the results of a study which examined the degree and intensity of romantic, family and social loneliness in youth. A general index of loneliness levels in youth is established. A total of 256 university students from several Ukrainian universities, ages 16 to 25, completed a Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults — SELSA (E. DiTomaso) and the UCLA Loneliness Scale (D.W. Russell, M. L. Ferguson). Results indicated that adolescents are vulnerable to loneliness. The findings point out that a high proportion of young people feel a significant lack of emotional affection in romantic relationships. Social connections (both their quantity and quality) also do not often meet their wishes. Family loneliness is less typical for youth.