Understanding Involuntary Loneliness in Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood

Introduction: There is increasing evidence that young people are particularly predisposed to experiencing loneliness. More qualitative investigations are needed to provide a clearer understanding of what leads adolescents and emerging adults to perceive themselves as involuntarily lonely. Aim: To develop a nuanced understanding of what can cause and what might mitigate experiences of involuntary loneliness among adolescents, emerging adults, and parents using an integrated, multitheoretical framework. Methods: We applied a qualitative approach and reflexive thematic analysis. A total of 11 participants (8 adolescents/emerging adults, 3 parents) participated in individual semistructured interviews. Results: Six main themes and 14 subthemes emerged from iterative coding and data interpretation. The main themes were involuntary loneliness that negatively impacts adolescents’ and emerging adults’ well-being; challenges within contemporary youth culture that cause loneliness; life circumstances that hinder connections and cause involuntary loneliness; intervention systems that counteract involuntary loneliness; supportive systems that counteract involuntary loneliness; and system changes in policy and advocacy to counteract loneliness. Discussion/conclusion: Involuntary loneliness among young people is a complex problem that requires a range of approaches. Young people need support in finding and building deeper friendships that can facilitate profound connection and alleviate loneliness, strengthening well-being.