Ch. 11 Loneliness and Solitude

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to loneliness and solitude based on lecture notes.

Solitude

A state usually chosen by oneself to be alone, allowing time for self-discovery, to gain a sense of perspective and renewal.

Loneliness

Feeling set apart from others. Often results from life events.

Life events that can cause loneliness

• Death of a loved one

• Someone lleaving us

• Leaving a good job for a new one

• Moving

Transient Loneliness

Brief feelings of loneliness due to disruptions in one’s social network.

Transient Loneliness Example

Moving to a new city or changing jobs.

Chronic Loneliness

A longstanding inability to establish meaningful interpersonal relationships over their lifetime.

Everyday Loneliness

Pain of isolation related to fears of intimacy, rejection, shame, or feeling unloved.

Existential Loneliness

• A profound sense of separateness that relates to each person's unique experience.

• Feeling completely alone in the world.

• Not very common

Immigrant Paradox

The phenomenon where immigrants, despite facing numerous challenges, often exhibit better mental health and well-being than native-born individuals due to creating/finding communities

Affective components to loneliness

Physiological reactions such as:

• muscle tension

• anxieyt

• increased heart rate

• upset stomach

Cognitive components to loneliness

• Negative self talk

• Self consciousness

Behavioral components to loneliness

Inhibited behavior (creating a cacoon)

Social Fitness Model

A framework designed to help shy individuals develop their social capacities.

Emotional Eating

Eating for emotional reasons rather than physical hunger.

Social Media Impact on Loneliness

Reshapes social connections and can increase feelings of loneliness. Less face-to-face interactions

Late Life Loneliness

Experiences of loneliness in older adults exacerbated by societal values and losses.

Causes of lonliness - childhood

Being a trouble maker, ADHD, ASD, etc.

Causes of lonliness - adolescence

Experiences such as peer rejection, bullying, physical changes, and lack of social support during teenage years.

Causes of lonliness - young adulthood

Includes factors like relationship issues, career pressures, and social isolation as individuals transition to independence.

Causes of lonliness - middle age

Commonly involves factors such as divorce, career dissatisfaction, empty nest syndrome, and changes in social circles as children grow up and move out.

Causes of lonliness - later years

Often stems from factors like bereavement, retirement, declining health, and reduced social interaction as friends and family may move away or pass.