Loneliness in Children and Adolescents

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Recommended: Introduction on the topic loneliness

Loneliness in Children and Adolescents

Definition and the Extent of Loneliness

Loneliness is a common human emotion involving an individual’s awareness of a deficit in personal relationships (Asher & Paquette 2003, as cited by Dunn, Dunn, & Bayduza, 2007) combined with distress resulting from feelings of social isolation (Hawkley & Cacioppo, 2010). Further, Cherry (nd) described loneliness as mental state associated with thoughts and feelings of emptiness and aloneness. The effect of loneliness in children may be mild over relatively short periods; however, over long periods, or chronic loneliness, individuals suffer from lower self-esteem, sadness, separation from peers, and missed opportunities for enriched experiences (Bullock, 2003), and ultimately experience emotional and psychological problems such as anxiety and depression (Jobe-Shields, Cohen, & Parra, 2011). In the most extreme situation loneliness has been associated with suicide (Marano, 2003).

According to Bullock (2003), many factors contribute to the onset of loneliness in children. Some factors included conflict in the home and with family, relocating to a new home or school, divorce, as well as problems in school such as being bullied, social skills deficits, and rejection by one’s peer group. In addition, a child with certain personality characteristics may be more prone to loneliness. Characteristics include anxiety, shyness, and low self-esteem (Bullock, 2003). Cacioppo (as cited by Marano, 2003), explained loneliness affects the quality of medical care provided by doctors, results in higher levels of perceived stress, negatively impacts sleep, and hinders cardiovascular functioning.

As previously stated, loneliness is not uncommon and as much as 80% ...

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...nttila, N. & Vauras, M. (2009). Loneliness among school-aged children and their parents. The Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 50, 211-219

Marano ,E. (2003). The Dangers of Loneliness | Psychology Today. Retrieved June 6, 2012, from http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200308/the-dangers-loneliness

Rubin, K.H., Wojslawowicz, J.C., Rose-Krasnor, L., Booth-LaForce, C., & Burgess, K.B. (2006). The best friendships of shy/withdrawn children: prevalence, stability, and relationship quality. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology 34 (2) 143 - 157

Shapiro, J. P., Friedberg, R. D., & Bardenstein, K. K. (2005). Child & Adolescent Therapy : Science and Art (1st ed.). Wiley.

Wikipedia contributors. (2012, June 5). Loneliness. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Loneliness&oldid=496138661

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