{"title":"Full or Empty: Examining Perceptions and Implications of Solitude as a Psychological Space","authors":"Virginia Thomas, Steven Broussard","doi":"10.1177/07435584231195257","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"To clarify whether, and for whom, solitude is beneficial, this mixed-methods study examined how emerging adults perceive the space of solitude, and whether such perceptions influence utilization of solitude and correspond with psychosocial outcomes. College students ( n = 43), balanced in gender and ethnically diverse, completed an online survey followed by a semi-structured interview that explored their attitudes about being alone. Qualitative analysis yielded identification of three types, those who perceived solitude as Empty, Limited, or Full of meaning and activity. Full experienced solitude as enjoyable and multi-dimensional, Empty perceived it as pointless and isolating, and Limited expressed ambivalence or exhibited a one-dimensional capacity for solitude. The Full type was significantly more likely to utilize solitude for self-actualizing purposes such as self-reflection and spiritual connection; however, in terms of adjustment, Full and Empty showed similarly high levels of well-being, though Full was more self-determined in their motivations for solitude. The Limited type showed comparatively modest decreases in well-being. Findings suggest a bifurcation of resources for well-being in emerging adulthood, with solitude serving the Full type and social relationships better serving the Empty type, albeit at the potential cost of self-actualizing experiences. Implications for the Limited type are discussed.","PeriodicalId":47949,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Adolescent Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2000,"publicationDate":"2023-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Adolescent Research","FirstCategoryId":"102","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1177/07435584231195257","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"PSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENTAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
To clarify whether, and for whom, solitude is beneficial, this mixed-methods study examined how emerging adults perceive the space of solitude, and whether such perceptions influence utilization of solitude and correspond with psychosocial outcomes. College students ( n = 43), balanced in gender and ethnically diverse, completed an online survey followed by a semi-structured interview that explored their attitudes about being alone. Qualitative analysis yielded identification of three types, those who perceived solitude as Empty, Limited, or Full of meaning and activity. Full experienced solitude as enjoyable and multi-dimensional, Empty perceived it as pointless and isolating, and Limited expressed ambivalence or exhibited a one-dimensional capacity for solitude. The Full type was significantly more likely to utilize solitude for self-actualizing purposes such as self-reflection and spiritual connection; however, in terms of adjustment, Full and Empty showed similarly high levels of well-being, though Full was more self-determined in their motivations for solitude. The Limited type showed comparatively modest decreases in well-being. Findings suggest a bifurcation of resources for well-being in emerging adulthood, with solitude serving the Full type and social relationships better serving the Empty type, albeit at the potential cost of self-actualizing experiences. Implications for the Limited type are discussed.
期刊介绍:
The aim of the Journal of Adolescent Research is to publish lively, creative, and informative articles on development during adolescence (ages 10-18) and emerging adulthood (ages 18-25). The journal encourages papers that use qualitative, ethnographic, or other methods that present the voices of adolescents. Few strictly quantitative, questionnaire-based articles are published in the Journal of Adolescent Research, unless they break new ground in a previously understudied area. However, papers that combine qualitative and quantitative data are especially welcome.