Sociology of loneliness: An introduction

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

At a time when loneliness emerges as a major social issue in the post-pandemic world, this article aims to introduce the emerging field of the sociology of loneliness. We argue that, while loneliness studies have traditionally been dominated by psychology, the sociological perspective is increasingly recognized as crucial for understanding contemporary forms of loneliness. Over the past two decades, whether through qualitative, ethnographic, or statistical methods, a growing number of sociological studies have revealed new facets of loneliness across the lifespan. Drawing on an extensive review of this literature, our aim is to identify the specific contributions and distinct features of the sociological approach to loneliness. We show that, compared to other perspectives, this approach fundamentally invites us to consider loneliness not just as an intimate phenomenon, but above all as a social phenomenon, whose causes and consequences are primarily played out at the social and political levels. It therefore reveals structural dimensions of loneliness that are less emphasized in other approaches: the weight of social norms, its social factors and manifestations, the role of inequalities, and its multiple subjective forms. Finally, the article explores the field's main contemporary research horizons and outlines key directions for its further development, highlighting potential intersections with other social sciences.