Unit:
Department of Primary Education
Title:
Children's perceptions of loneliness
Languages of Item:
English
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to examine if Hymel, Tarulli, Hayden Thomson, and Terrell-Deutsch's (1999) three-dimension model of children's loneliness perceptions could be applied in Greece, and to examine age and gender differences in these perceptions. In addition, a more detailed examination of the emotional dimension in the perceptions of loneliness was attempted, based on Parkhurst and Hopmeyer's (1999) hypotheses for the emotions associated with loneliness. One-hundred and eighty 2nd-, 4th-, and 6th- grade children from Athens were interviewed about their understanding and experience of loneliness. Responses fit Hymel et al.'s (1999) model for the perceptions of loneliness, with some additions. Children perceived loneliness as a painful experience with emotional, cognitive, and contextual dimensions. Statistically significant age and gender differences were found in these dimensions, as well as in the loneliness-related emotions. The implications of these findings for the existing theoretical views on loneliness are discussed and suggestions for future research are made.
Authors:
Evangelia P. Galanaki
Journal:
Hellenic journal of psychology
Publisher:
Psychological Society of Northern Greece
Keywords:
loneliness, perceptions, emotions, emotion understanding, children, Greece, qualitative study, μοναξιά, αντιλήψεις, αναπαραστάσεις, συναίσθημα, κατανόηση συναισθημάτων, παιδιά, ποιοτική έρευνα
Main subject category:
Philosophy - Psychology
Official URL (Publisher):
