Loneliness, isolation and demotivation in young people and adolescents: causes and solutions
1 in 3 adolescents feels lonely, causing isolation, sadness and demotivation in their lives.
Adolescence is a stage of life full of challenges and significant changes. As young people go through this transition into adulthood, they face a number of emotional and social challenges that can impact their well-being. One of these challenges that is often overlooked is loneliness, which can manifest as emotional isolation and have a profound impact on adolescents’ lives, leading to sadness and discouragement.
Loneliness is an unpleasant feeling that results from the discrepancy between the perception of actual social relationships and desired social contact, as defined by Peplau and Perlman (1982). It is important to note that loneliness does not necessarily derive from a lack of objective social relationships, but rather from the subjective perception of the quality of those relationships. In other words, an adolescent can be surrounded by people, but still feel lonely if he or she does not feel a meaningful connection with others.
This phenomenon is particularly relevant in adolescence, as it is a time when young people are forming their identity and searching for their place in the world. The need for belonging and emotional connection is fundamental at this stage of life. When adolescents do not experience this connection in a satisfactory way, they may experience feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Loneliness and demotivation in adolescents: studies
Existing studies reveal that loneliness is a significant concern in young people, with rates of loneliness as high as 40%. This suggests that a significant proportion of adolescents experience varying levels of loneliness in their daily lives. Loneliness can manifest itself in a variety of ways, from feeling excluded in a group of friends to feeling that one does not understand or fit in anywhere, leading to sadness and lack of motivation.
Loneliness in adolescence can have multiple causes, some derived from the broader context: a more individualistic society, more fragile social and family ties, new digital technologies. There are also particular factors. Some adolescents may have experienced rejection or aggression from peers, which can leave emotional scars and contribute to loneliness. Others may have negative beliefs about themselves, such as low self-esteem or perceived personal limitations, which lead them to isolate themselves. It is also common for adolescents to place excessive expectations or unreasonable self-demands on themselves, which can make them feel unmotivated and lonely when they do not achieve their goals.
To address adolescent loneliness, it is critical to understand that it is not simply a matter of increasing participation in social activities or improving social skills. Instead, it requires in-depth personal work to identify and change the underlying beliefs that influence how adolescents relate to others and themselves.
How to overcome adolescent loneliness
Psychotherapy is a valuable tool for helping adolescents overcome loneliness. Through therapy, adolescents can explore their beliefs and emotions, understand how these affect their relationships with others, and learn strategies for changing negative patterns of thinking and behavior. In addition, therapy can provide a safe space where adolescents feel heard and understood, which can be especially beneficial when they feel unmotivated and sad due to loneliness.
In summary, loneliness is a significant challenge affecting many adolescents today. The focus should be on the subjective quality of those relationships and how they perceive themselves in the social context. Loneliness can contribute to demotivation and sadness in adolescence, but through personal work in therapy, adolescents can learn to address these feelings and find greater connection and satisfaction in their lives. Recognizing the importance of addressing loneliness in adolescence is critical to promoting the emotional well-being and healthy development of young people at this crucial stage of their lives.
