Lonely but not alone: Loneliness and social positive valence sensitivity in emerging adults' everyday lives

Abstract

Loneliness predicts a range of highly negative outcomes and is a rising problem among young adults. The current study examines the basic processes associated with young adult loneliness. In the Stony Brook Temperament Study, 320 18 year-olds completed an ecological momentary assessment (2 weeks; 5 assessments/day) of whether they had recently socialized, and the extent to which the social experience was positive or negative. They also completed trait measures of general positive valence sensitivity (PVS), social PVS, depression, and loneliness. The amount of socializing was not associated with loneliness, while subjectively positive social experiences (but not negative), social PVS, and depression were. The current study highlights the role of social PVS hyposensitivity in young adult loneliness.