Knowra Loneliness Loneliness Loneliness is the distressing subjective feeling that one’s social relationships are fewer or less satisfying than desired. It can occur even when a person is surrounded by others.
Perceived social isolation : A person’s subjective sense of having too little social connection, regardless of the number of contacts. Loneliness centers on perceived disconnection, not an objective count of relationships.
Social connection : The relationships and interactions through which people experience contact, support, and belonging. Loneliness concerns a perceived shortfall in desired social connection.
UCLA Loneliness Scale : A questionnaire that measures subjective loneliness through reported experiences of social connection. It is a widely used instrument for quantifying loneliness in research.
Depression : A mental health condition involving persistent low mood or loss of interest, often with other symptoms. Loneliness and depression can co-occur and may intensify one another.
Emotional loneliness : Loneliness arising from the absence of a close, intimate attachment. It distinguishes missing a close bond from lacking a wider social network.
Social pain : The distress associated with rejection, exclusion, or loss of social connection. Its painful quality can motivate reconnection while also making social encounters feel threatening.
Social isolation : A lack of social contacts or participation, measured by the structure of a person’s social network. Unlike loneliness, isolation can be assessed without asking how relationships feel.
Loneliness in older adults : Loneliness experienced in later life, shaped by personal, social, and health circumstances. It is a major focus of research and services responding to changing relationships and life events.
Anxiety : A state of excessive worry or fear that can interfere with daily functioning. Fear of rejection or social evaluation can accompany loneliness.
Social loneliness : Loneliness arising from the absence of a broader network or sense of community. It captures unmet needs for friendship, group membership, or community ties.
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