Experiencing loneliness in adolescence depending on interpersonal relationships

Abstract

Introduction. Experiencing loneliness in terms of its influence on personal development of an individual gains particular relevance in adolescence, since it contributes to the evolvement of the awareness of personal responsibility for own life. The purpose of this research is to study the peculiar features of interpersonal relationships, needs for positive emotional contacts and experiencing loneliness in adolescence. Materials and methods. The sample consisted of 30 boys and 30 girls (n = 60 people) aged 15–17 years (M = 16.6), students of secondary school No. 6 in the city of Khabarovsk, Khabarovsk Territory. Techniques: Differential Questionnaire of Loneliness (short version; E.N. Osin, D.A. Leontyev); Method of Subjective Assessment of Interpersonal Relationships (S. V. Dukhnovsky); Diagnostics of Affiliation Motives (A. Mehrabian, modified by M.Sh. Magomed-Eminov). Results. The paper revealed the relationship between the indicators of subjective assessment of interpersonal relationships and general level of loneliness: tension (r = 0.41; p ≤ 0.01); alienation (r = 0.492; p ≤ 0.01); proneness to conflict (r = 0.274; p ≤ 0.05); aggression (r = 0.316; p ≤ 0.05) and general assessment of interpersonal relationships (r = 0.42; p ≤ 0.01). The paper also identified the correlation of indicators of subjective assessment of interpersonal relationships and positive use of solitude: tension (r = 0.273; p ≤ 0.05); alienation (r = 0.27; p ≤ 0.05); proneness to conflict (r = 0.288; p ≤ 0.05); as well as indicators of affiliation motives and dependence on communication (τ = 0.265; p ≤ 0.01). Conclusion. It was found that indicators of tension, alienation, conflict, aggression and general subjective assessment of interpersonal relationships are related to the indicators of the general level of experience of loneliness. The paper proved the dependence of indicators of tension, alienation, proneness to conflict and general subjective assessment of interpersonal relationships with indicators of positive use of the solitude resource. The obtained data will be useful for further scientific endeavors.