Unit:
Department of Primary Education
Title:
Social withdrawal, solitude, and existential concerns in emerging adulthood
Languages of Item:
English
Abstract:
This study aimed to investigate the ways subtypes of social withdrawal and dimensions of solitude are related to existential
concerns in emerging adulthood. The links between social withdrawal/solitude and existential well-being are a highly neglected
research issue. Participants were 774 emerging adults (50.4% males) aged 18–25 (M = 20.07) from Greece. They completed
measures on social withdrawal, solitude, authenticity, meaning in life, existential anxiety, and existential loneliness. We used
structural equation modeling to analyze the data. Results indicated that shyness, avoidance, and isolation were associated with
more existential concerns, whereas unsociability was associated with less existential concerns. The solitude dimensions—
enlightenment, freedom, intimacy, and loneliness—were differentially associated with existential concerns, with enlightenment
exhibiting the most existential benefits. Findings showed that existential well-being is dependent on emerging adults’ quality of
withdrawal experiences and ability to make constructive use of solitude.
Authors:
Evangelia P. Galanaki
Larry J. Nelson
Faye Antoniou
Journal:
Emerging Adulthood
Keywords:
social withdrawal, solitude, existential concerns, authenticity, meaning in life, existential anxiety, existential loneliness, emerging adulthood
Main subject category:
Philosophy - Psychology
Official URL (Publisher):
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1177/21676968231170247
