Trait and State Levels of Loneliness in Early and Late Adolescents: Examining the Differential Reactivity Hypothesis

Abstract

According to the differential reactivity hypothesis, lonely individuals respond differently to their environment compared to nonlonely individuals, which may sustain their loneliness levels. However, this interesting hypothesis has not yet been explored in daily life: Do lonely individuals feel lonely all the time, or do they feel more or less lonely in specific social contexts? The main aim of the present study was to test the differential reactivity hypothesis in daily life by examining in three samples whether trait levels of loneliness affected the levels of state loneliness in different social contexts. We used baseline questionnaires to measure trait loneliness and the Experience Sampling Method to collect data on state loneliness, in early adolescents (N = 269, M age = 14.49, 59% female) and late adolescents (N = 223, M age = 19.60, 91% female) from the Netherlands and late adolescents from the United States (N = 126, M age = 19.20, 51% female). Results provided evidence for the differential reactivity hypothesis in the total sample, as high lonely adolescents experienced higher levels of state loneliness in situations in which they were alone than low lonely adolescents, but also benefited more from being with intimate company than low lonely adolescents. In sum, the present study provided evidence for the differential reactivity hypothesis and showed that the experience of loneliness in daily life was remarkably similar across age and culture. Our findings provide important insights into the daily experiences of trait lonely people, which may provide starting points for interventions.

Loneliness, older people and a proposed social work response

“…Whilst someone with state loneliness may desire social relations, an individual with trait loneliness may be warier. Although factors within state and trait loneliness do not always strongly correlate (Yi et al, 2018), those with high levels of trait loneliness also report high levels of state loneliness (van Roekel et al, 2018). Therefore, whilst the types of loneliness are discrete, they may converge.…”

“…It is associated with personality traits such as neuroticism and shyness, which lead to social withdrawal, hypervigilance in relation to social interactions, and distrust of relationships (van Wrinkel et al, 2017). Someone experiencing trait loneliness may not so readily recognise themselves as lonely than those with state loneliness, as loneliness has become ingrained (van Roekel et al, 2018). Whilst someone with state loneliness may desire social relations, an individual with trait loneliness may be warier.…”

High prevalence and adverse health effects of loneliness in community-dwelling adults across the lifespan: role of wisdom as a protective factor

“…Most personality traits are relatively stable with roughly 35%-50% heritability, though they are also modifiable. According to van Roekel et al (2016), loneliness may have both trait and state characteristics; however, persistence of loneliness can lead to negative health consequences. Loneliness is distinct from living alone, solitude, and social isolation; though they may be interrelated.…”

The relationship between state and trait loneliness and social experiences in daily life

“…Self-report trait scales like the UCLA Loneliness Scale [6] have been used to show the unique effects of loneliness compared to other related conditions, such as objective social isolation or "aloneness" [7]. Recently, researchers have also studied the way that state (or momentary) experiences of loneliness fluctuate within people over time, and how these fluctuations are related to daily social experiences [8][9]. What remains less well understood is the extent to which the correlates of trait and state experiences of loneliness differ.…”

“…Overall, perceptions of social relationships appear to play a larger role than quantity of interactions in momentary experiences of loneliness. Positive social appraisals, such as perceived intimacy and quality of social relationships, are related to lower loneliness in the moment [8][9].…”