What is Loneliness?
Loneliness is a subjective, unwelcome feeling of lack or loss of companionship, which happens when there is a mismatch between the quantity and quality of the social relationships that we have, and those that we want .
Perlman, Daniel, and L. Anne Peplau. “Toward a social psychology of loneliness.” Personal relationships 3 (1981): 31-56.
Types of Loneliness
Emotional loneliness is the absence of a significant other with whom a close attachment or meaningful relationship existed (a partner or close friend).
Social loneliness is the lack of a wider social network of friends, neighbors or colleagues.
Existential loneliness is described as a universal aspect of the human condition which expresses the separateness of the person from others.
Loneliness can be a transient feeling that comes and goes.
It can be situational; for example only occurring at certain times like Sundays, bank holidays or Christmas.
Or loneliness can be chronic; this means someone feels lonely all or most of the time.
Loneliness can also be characterized by its intensity, or how strongly it is felt, which can change from moment to moment and over different durations of time.
*Information above was found through The Campaign to End Loneliness webpage.
Resources For Connection
Videos:
You are not alone in your loneliness | Jonny Sun
What a time to be alone! Releasing the fear of being alone. | Chidera Eggerue