Preference for solitude moderates the negative impact of loneliness on satisfaction with life

OBJECTIVES: Aloneness presents itself as an ambivalent condition. While older adults who spend time alone might feel lonely, they may also enjoy the solitude for the psychological benefits it confers, including mental relaxation and increased productivity. The present study delineates the effect of the preference for solitude and loneliness on well-being, including depressive symptoms, satisfaction with life, and negative and positive feelings. METHOD: Face-to-face surveys were conducted with 203 older adults living in the community drawn from a national address-based sampling frame. We examined the interaction effect between the preference for solitude and loneliness on the four well-being measures while controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: We found that the preference for solitude moderates the negative effects of loneliness on satisfaction with life but not the other well-being factors. Loneliness emerged as a consistent, robust correlate of well-being across all outcomes, whereas a stronger preference for solitude specifically attenuated this association for satisfaction with life. CONCLUSION: While social isolation and loneliness affect our well-being, a stronger preference for solitude may be associated with better adjustment during life stages when we are alone and engaging in social connections is not viable. Interventions could thus be tailored to individual preferences, supporting both social connection and the cultivation of healthy solitude.