Abstract
Introduction
Young adulthood (ages 18 – 25) is a high-risk period for loneliness, particularly during educational transitions. Loneliness has negative consequences for mental health, physical health, and educational achievement. Psychologists conceptualise loneliness as emerging from a discrepancy between expected and experienced social connection, but this has been under-explored during young adulthood.
Method
Drawing on thematic analysis of eight focus groups with 21 young adults in the UK, this paper explores the differences between retrospective expectations and experience of social connection during the transition into university and the implications for loneliness.
Results
Whilst social expectations, experiences, and preferences vary considerably, young adults’ perception of whether expectations are met is ostensibly more consequential for understanding social (dis)satisfaction than objective indicators of the social experience, such as number or quality of friendships. Moreover, discrepancies between social expectations and experience are intensified by a widespread presumption that social relationships in adulthood will form and function as they did at school, resulting in unexpected barriers, challenges, and effort involved in friendship formation.
Conclusions
The findings affirm the importance of addressing loneliness holistically during points of transition and creating socially supportive communities for young adults, particularly at university.
Young adulthood (ages 18 – 25) is a high-risk period for loneliness, particularly during educational transitions. Loneliness has negative consequences for mental health, physical health, and educational achievement. Psychologists conceptualise loneliness as emerging from a discrepancy between expected and experienced social connection, but this has been under-explored during young adulthood.
Method
Drawing on thematic analysis of eight focus groups with 21 young adults in the UK, this paper explores the differences between retrospective expectations and experience of social connection during the transition into university and the implications for loneliness.
Results
Whilst social expectations, experiences, and preferences vary considerably, young adults’ perception of whether expectations are met is ostensibly more consequential for understanding social (dis)satisfaction than objective indicators of the social experience, such as number or quality of friendships. Moreover, discrepancies between social expectations and experience are intensified by a widespread presumption that social relationships in adulthood will form and function as they did at school, resulting in unexpected barriers, challenges, and effort involved in friendship formation.
Conclusions
The findings affirm the importance of addressing loneliness holistically during points of transition and creating socially supportive communities for young adults, particularly at university.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Adolescence |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 8 Mar 2025 |
Keywords
- Loneliness
- Well-being
- connectedness
- friendship and intimacy
- peer relationships
- socialization and social development
- transitions
- college students
- qualitatitive