Loneliness and Parental Separation: A Narrative Approach

Abstract

Although a growing body of literature has studied loneliness across the population, the study impact of parental separation on loneliness remains limited. This study aims to understand loneliness among youths who experienced parental separation during their formative years. The subjective nature of loneliness demands an investigative approach that can understand the intricacies of the embodied mind. This study adopts a life course narrative approach to understand loneliness experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data from Indian youth. The narrative analysis resulted in the emergence of core categories and themes. The study conceptualizes loneliness in three domains: Individual, relational, and digital. These domains bring together the origination, manifestation, and intensification of loneliness. The life-course narrative reveals that youths with parental separation were experiencing loneliness for years.