Fear Of Loneliness Research Articles

Solitude Without Loneliness: Understanding Loneliness in Terms of Psychological Separation

The reason why fear of loneliness is not ubiquitous is because loneliness is essentially an experience of “ego-separation.” Ego-separation exists on a continuum. While it may be extreme in some people, some people may experience little or no ego-separation, and so be less prone to loneliness. On the contrary, such people embrace and relish solitude and inactivity, with no distressing effects. I refer to Maslow’s concept of self-actualization and my own research on the state of “wakefulness.” I conclude that positive psychological development should involve a healthy relationship to solitude and inactivity.

Reclaimed Voices: The Silent Impact of Women’s Experiences of Homelessness

Background: Homelessness is a rising crisis that affects hundreds of thousands of individuals in America; but affects women differently than men. The experiences women face while homeless can translate into traumatic experiences and profoundly shape an individual's story of homelessness. These experiences prompt a need to change the systems that contribute to homelessness. Purpose: This study aims to highlight trauma across women's experiences of homelessness. Methods: Data collection for this research was conducted through qualitative interviews with eight women experiencing homelessness in Modesto, California. NVivo, a qualitative data analysis software, was used to format the interviews, identifying common code words that developed into overlapping themes. Results: The eight interviews of women experiencing homelessness identified core emerging themes of causes of homelessness, fear of loneliness, quality, and type of available services, perception of homelessness, and an understanding of the societal constructs of homelessness and gender. This research confirmed that some women experiencing homelessness are less likely to report traumatic experiences and seek support from their local social service community providers. The limitations of the smaller sample size only captured a small scale of the problem being analyzed to a potentially larger issue. Conclusion: Services should begin focusing on asking more trauma-informed questions, not only to improve care but to allow more women experiencing homelessness the chance to seek help; this is the only way to begin understanding how their traumatic experiences have impacted their livelihood.

The Paradox of Aging-Related Fears: Fear of Loneliness in Old Age as a Motivator for Loneliness Preventive Activities

Introduction: Aging is often seen as a challenging process, prompting individuals to form emotional reactions in response to the perceived challenges associated with growing older, manifested as aging-related fears. The present study focuses on the fear of loneliness in old age, a significant concern considering the socioemotional importance of close relationships in later life. Drawing from proactive coping theory, the study explores the association between fear of loneliness and aging preparation. This research aimed to investigate whether the fear of loneliness motivates individuals to engage in activities aimed at preventing loneliness in old age. For exploratory purposes, we consider both linear and nonlinear effects at the interindividual level, as well as the intraindividual-level differences between fear levels and behavioral outcomes. In addition, we also investigate the moderating role of trait neuroticism in these associations. Methods: Data from the “Ageing as Future (AAF)” project in Germany (N = 1,183) spanning from 2012 to 2023 were utilized. A multilevel model considered both intra- and interindividual variations, incorporating time-varying variables and covariates. Results: Linear mixed model analysis revealed that increased fear of loneliness corresponded to heightened engagement in preventive activities linearly, while a quadratic term indicated an inverted U-shaped relationship. The inclusion of occasion-specific deviation scores showed that individuals were more inclined to engage in preventive activities when experiencing heightened fear of loneliness than usual. This impact of deviation in fear perception was particularly evident among those with high levels of trait neuroticism. Conclusion: The study reveals that fear of loneliness in old age is associated with proactive engagement in preventive activities, with those prone to higher levels of fear or worry being particularly affected. These results emphasize the importance of a moderate level of fear in driving action without succumbing to excessive pessimism or unrealistic optimism. The findings contribute to understanding the motivational role of aging-related fears and hold implications for gerontological practices, emphasizing the need for a balanced fear perception in addressing potential negative impacts of aging. Future research could explore moderators and long-term consequences of motivational aging-related fears.

The mood disorders and suicidal thoughts and their impact on the quality of life among people living with HIV treated in Białystok, Poland: a cross-sectional study

Introduction and objective: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of mood disorders symptoms and suicidal thoughts among HIV patients treated in Białystok and their impact on quality of life. Materials and methods: A total of 147 participants, including 104 men (70.7%) and 43 women (29.3%), took part in the research. The study used a diagnostic survey method with a modified questionnaire “Psychosocial situation of people living with HIV/AIDS in Poland” by Dr Magdalena Ankiersztejn-Bartczak and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF), Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: Suicidal thoughts and attempts were reported by 20% and 7% of respondents, respectively. Fear of living with HIV and fear of loneliness were the predominant reasons for suicidal thoughts (38.7% in total). Two-thirds of respondents had no depressive symptoms, while one-fourth of respondents presented with at most moderate depressive symptoms. There were significant differences in the level of health problems depending on marital status. Those who had suicidal thoughts after receiving HIV diagnosis had a lower quality of life. Conclusions: One-third of the respondents reported symptoms of mood disorders, most of which were of moderate intensity, and one-fourth of the respondents had suicidal thoughts and attempts. The quality of life of HIV patients was mainly determined by their general physical and mental health and social support. A higher quality of life was presented by those with better general health status who received social support. Only marital status determinated the prevalence of symptoms of mood disorders in the study group.

IS THERE A WORRY ADVANTAGE? THE ROLE OF FEAR OF LONELINESS IN OLD AGE IN LONELINESS PREVENTIVE ACTIVITIES

Abstract While worries are generally known to be aversive, behavioral theories have also addressed potential advantages of worrying throughout life. Drawing on this notion, the present study focused on the fear of loneliness in old age and its beneficial effects on individuals’ engagement in loneliness preventive activities. Data were collected from 702 German adults (aged 22-96) who had participated in at least two out of five measurement occasions with a time interval of two years. Fear of loneliness in old age was measured using a single item (i.e., how much do you fear being lonely in old age?) and loneliness preventive activities were measured as a mean score of five social activities specifying the very intention to prevent loneliness in old age (e.g., I actively pursued contacts with friends and acquaintances in order not to be lonely in old age). Based on longitudinal multilevel regression models, we found that at the between-person level old age, female gender, and better health were independently associated with higher average loneliness preventive activities. At the within-person level, participants reported more preventive activities on occasions when they were more feared for the loneliness in old age. Such benefits of fear were particularly reported on occasions when individuals reported less state loneliness at that time. Findings indicate that aging-related worry serves as a motivator for loneliness preventive activities, particularly in situations in which individuals felt socially well connected.

EXAMINING THE ROLE OF AGE STEREOTYPES FOR DEVELOPMENT IN CONTEXT

Abstract This session will focus on age stereotypes, that is, beliefs individuals hold about older adults and the aging process. Two types of age stereotypes will be addressed: those related to how older adults are assumed to be (i.e., descriptive stereotypes) and those related to how older adults should be (i.e., prescriptive stereotypes). Age stereotypes have been shown to be incorporated into older adults’ self-concepts (via stereotype internalization) and to influence their development in old age by shaping their expectations, motivations, and behaviors (stereotype embodiment). Considering the relevance of age stereotypes for developmental outcomes, the talks in this symposium will address how they shape individual aging and to what extent age stereotypes and their effects on development are context dependent. The first two presentations focus on cross-cultural differences in age stereotypes. de Paula Couto et al. examine prescriptive age stereotypes across different countries and investigate underlying factors that may influence their differential endorsement. Fung and Fung investigate cultural and age-related differences in the internalization of age stereotypes. The developmental consequences of negative age stereotypes will be addressed by Kornadt et al., whereas their malleability and specificity will be examined by Wirth et al. The last talk by Degen et al. will focus on the fear of loneliness in older adults, and how it affects their motivation to engage in behaviors that can prevent being lonely in old age.

Investigating the harms of divorce on the lives of couples and children

Unfortunately, in the past several years, the downward slope of marriage statistics and on the other hand, the upward slope of divorce was very worrying. The damage caused by divorce is multi-dimensional, that is, couples, families and children are damaged. On the other hand, the most common mental disorder for men after divorce is depression and guilt, while anxiety and material problems and lack of financial security are common injuries for women. Therefore, specialized training in marriage and divorce counseling seems necessary. The harms mentioned in this article are: 1. Fear of loneliness, 2. Guilt, 3. Emotional problems, 4. Identity problem, 5. Role duality, 6. Economic problems, 7. Community evaluation. In addition, in the current research, the difference between men's and women's reactions to divorce and the damages that children of divorce are exposed to were investigated.

Features of self-esteem in anxious children of senior preschool age

The work is aimed at studying the manifestation of self-esteem in anxious children of older preschool age. The materials of an empirical study obtained on a sample of children of senior preschool age from kindergartens in Ulyanovsk are presented. The study involved children aged 6,5 to 7 years. The study included psychological diagnostics using the following methods: “The Train Engine Method” (Velieva S.V.), the method for identifying children's fears by A.I. Zakharov and M.A. Panfilova “Fears in houses”, Test “Fairy tale” (L. Duss), Method “Ladder” V.G. Schur. The results obtained make it possible to say that among the sample of children of older preschool age, signs of anxiety in one form or another were detected in 40 % of the subjects. Anxiety manifests itself both in a general negative emotional state and in the presence of certain fears. The most prominent are the fear of loneliness and the fear of punishment from parents. In anxious children, inflated self-esteem is less common than in children who are not prone to anxiety. In children with a normal level of anxiety, their own assessment of themselves is higher than the assessments of others (mother and teacher). In anxious children, the situation is reversed, they tend to evaluate themselves lower than the surrounding adults. One of the hypotheses of such results of the study is that the increased level of anxiety and fears in children of older preschool age may be the result of a strict and critical attitude towards them from their parents. In general, the study is intended to prove the fact that the structure of self-esteem in anxious children is characterized by inadequate perceptions of themselves and their achievements (the cognitive component of self-esteem) and low self-satisfaction.

Anxiety, depression, stress, worry about COVID-19 and fear of loneliness during COVID-19 lockdown in Peru: A network analysis approach.

This study aims to examine the relationships between symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, worry about COVID-19 and fear of loneliness during COVID-19 lockdown in Peru using network analysis. There were 854 participants aged 18 to 50 years (Mean = 36.54; SD = 9.23); 634 females (74.20%) and 220 males (25.80%), who completed the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Preoccupation with COVID-19 Contagion (PRE-COVID-19), Brief Scale of Fear of Loneliness (BSFL). A partial unregularized network was estimated through the ggmModSelect function. Expected influence (EI) and bridging EI values were calculated to identify central symptoms and bridging symptoms respectively. The results reveal those two symptoms of depression—stress and anxiety—were the most central symptoms in the network. Depressive symptoms are at the same time the most comorbid and it is shown that there are no differences in the network when compared between those who left home and those who did not leave home during lockdown. Depressive symptoms are concluded to be central and bridging in the network and interconnected with some symptoms of stress and anxiety. These findings may be important to understand the experience of COVID-19 lockdown in Peru.

HOMO SOLITARIUS IN SHORT STORIES BY VASYL STEFANYK

The article highlights the problem of a lonely man in Vasyl Stefanyk's short stories. It is noticed that the writer mentions fear and loneliness not only in short stories but also in his letters, and defines their nature: fear of unsettled life, hunger, cold, fear of losing loved ones, fear of loneliness, nightmares, the tragedy of ordinary person. It is determined that often Stefanyk's characters become lonely, forced, under the pressure of external circumstances. Old age and illness are the main causes of loneliness. Such heroes often find themselves a few steps away from the terrible phantasmagoric death and meet it in their home, where they no longer feel themselves protected. The native house becomes a place of danger, threat, anxiety, acting as a place of horror. There, the heroes have terrible pre-death visions, some try to get out of this locus, but are defeated. Someone succeeds, and he hopes for the best. It is concluded that homo solitarius in Vasyl Stefanyk's short stories are mostly old people who perceive loneliness as one of the inevitable stages of their lives. It is often inseparable from death. Homo solitarius are mostly silent or talk to animals, themselves, objects in the house, immersed in the past. Loneliness-death is inevitable and inevitable for them. They don’t protest, do not resist, understanding the futility of resistance and the depth of fate. The following short stories were mentioned: «Novyna», «Sama-Samiska», «Maister», «Leseva familiia», «Osin», «Pokhoron», «Skin», «Shkoda», «Anhel», «Dity», «Sviatyi vechir», «Palii», «Vona – zemlia», «Mariia»The main emphasis is on the works of the first period of Vasyl Stefanyk (1897 – 1901).

Caregiver or care receiver: Adolescents' experience of caregiving to a parent with severe mental illness: A qualitative study

AbstractExploring the experiences of adolescent caregivers of mentally ill parents is essential to understand their challenges and identify their care needs. Using a qualitative research design, 18 caregiving adolescents shared their experiences of living with and providing care to a parent with a severe mental illness. The analysis of the interviews resulted in the emergence of three main categories: (1) emotional exhaustion with associated subthemes of ‘ongoing worries’, ‘fear of loneliness’, ‘feeling of shame and guilt’ and ‘fear of discrimination and stigma’; (2) being trapped in a difficult situation with subthemes of ‘living a compromised life’, ‘alienating from peers’ and ‘caregiver rather than care receiver; and (3) adapting to the situation with subthemes of developing new skills and growing accountability. The study findings suggest that adolescent caregivers of parents with severe mental illness experience significant challenges and psychological distress associated with their caregiving role. They need to be supported by health care providers to develop strategies to adjust to their situation and maintain health and well‐being.

Why People Keep an Intimate Relationship : Investigating Ultimate and Proximate Reasons.

Forming long-term intimate relationships constitutes an important aspect of human nature. Within the context of an evolutionary theoretical framework, the current research has attempted to investigate what motivates people to keep an intimate relationship. Using a combination of qualitative research methods in a sample of 131 Greek-speaking participants, 58 reasons that motivated individuals to keep their intimate relationship were identified. Using quantitative research methods in a sample of 789 Greek-speaking participants who were in an intimate relationship, these reasons were classified in nine broad factors and two broader domains. Having a supporting and compatible partner with whom one shares similar goals, and with whom one has good sex and a strong emotional attachment, were rated among the most important factors motivating participants to keep their relationship. Moreover, as indicated by the domain means, participants were more strongly motivated to keep their intimate relationship if their partners had desirable attributes, such as providing them with support, and less so by their own attributes, such as fear of loneliness. Significant effects of sex, age, marital status, presence of children, and years in a relationship were found for several factors.

Correction of the functional state of the regulatory systems of the body of dogs under the influence of environmental stress factors

The study was conducted on 15 dogs aged 1.5-12 years, kept in urban conditions with symptoms of chronic stress caused by various factors: moving to a new place of residence, fear of loneliness, loss of the owner, exhibition career, active breeding activities. The drug Klim Peter was given to all animals for 21 days at a dosage of 1 tablet per 10 kg of live weight 1 time per day. Blood samples were taken for morphological and biochemical studies before the start of the study and after the use of the drug (on the 24th day from the start of the experiment). The drug contributed to a significant reduction in the initially elevated level of white blood cells, the number of red blood cells and the concentration of hemoglobin, a decrease in ESR. The ratio of white blood cells in the leukogram approached the standard values. Protein and albumin levels were significantly increased.The normalization of anabolic processes was confirmed by a decrease in urea and creatinine levels, as well as a significant decrease in the level of bilirubin and the activity of enzymes – ALT, AST and alkaline phosphatase. After 5-10 days after the start of taking the drug, the animals showed normalization of appetite and digestion, after 14-18 days, neurological symptoms were leveled (destructive behavior, tremor, unmotivated aggression, obsessive behavior). By the 20th day, there was an improvement in the condition of the skin and coat, molting in most stopped or decreased, the coat became thick, shiny. Thus, the use of the drug Klim Pet had a positive effect on the clinical condition, and also helped to neutralize the effects of stress factors of various etiologies, had a hepatoprotective effect, optimized the metabolism and activity of the immune and nervous systems, contributed to improving the condition of the fur and skin.

Artistic, Aesthetic and Genre Originality of Women's Prose

This article is aimed at dealing with the artistic, aesthetic and genre originality of women's prose in Russia and Uzbekistan. The analysis revealed fascinating analogies and issues, in terms of the formulation and resolution to the subject matter: "shattered dreams", "paradise lost", the search for the meaning of life, "little man", faith and lack of faith, male infidelity and the fear of loneliness, "mother and child", "life and death", female destiny, etc.

Teacher Perceptions on Covid-19 Pandemic and Vaccination in Turkey

Most of the world to continue Covidien-19 outbreak influence and protection against epidemics aimed at reducing the impact of the strengthening pandemic immunization efforts is greater than last year in Turkey is one of the problems keeping its actuality. This is to completely eliminate the problems of the world in Turkey was put immediately into practice several measures, such as the measures taken in other countries. Although these practices have turned the direction of daily case and mortality figures into negative, it cannot be said that a clear goal has been achieved at the desired level. In addition, vaccination studies, which started within the framework of the epidemic, have remarkably affected the society's attitude towards the epidemic. Although the effect of these dimensions covers many aspects of life, it can be said that it is seen in people who are more isolated in their social life and fear of loneliness causes psychological disturbances. In this study, the perceptions of educators regarding the Covidien-19 outbreak and vaccination efforts in Turkey were evaluated. These trainers, Turkey constitutes teachers working in different regions. Opinions of teachers on the subject of study were taken from the virtual environment in various ways (mail, zoom, Google meet, etc.) and evaluated. In the evaluation, it can be said that remarkable results were obtained.

The lived experience of HIV-infected patients in the face of a positive diagnosis of the disease: a phenomenological study

BackgroundAIDS as a human crisis may lead to devastating psychological trauma and stress for patients. Therefore, it is necessary to study different aspects of their lives for better support and care. Accordingly, this study aimed to explain the lived experience of HIV-infected patients in the face of a positive diagnosis of the disease.MethodsThis qualitative study is a descriptive phenomenological study. Sampling was done purposefully and participants were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data collection was conducted, using semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed using Colaizzi’s method.Results12 AIDS patients participated in this study. As a result of data analysis, 5 main themes and 12 sub-themes were identified, which include: emotional shock (loathing, motivation of social isolation), the fear of the consequences (fear of the death, fear of loneliness, fear of disgrace), the feeling of the guilt (feeling of regret, feeling guilty, feeling of conscience-stricken), the discouragement (suicidal ideation, disappointment), and the escape from reality (denial, trying to hide).ConclusionThe results of this study showed that patients will experience unpleasant phenomenon in the face of the positive diagnosis of the disease and will be subjected to severe psychological pressures that require attention and support of medical and laboratory centers.

Aging-related fears and their associations with ideal life expectancy

Fears regarding various aspects tend to stimulate individuals to escape or to avoid the sources of the threat. We concluded that fears associated with the future aging process, like the fear of aging-related diseases, the fear of loneliness in old age, and the fear of death, would stimulate patterns of avoidance when it comes to ideal life expectancy. We expected fear of aging-related diseases and fear of loneliness in old age to be related to lower ideal life expectancies. We expected fear of death to be related to higher ideal life expectancies. In two adult lifespan samples [N1 = 1065 and N2 = 591; ages ranging from 18 to 95 years, M (SD)1 = 58.1 (17.2) years, M (SD)2 = 52.6 (18.1) years], we were able to support our hypothesis regarding fear of death. We furthermore found significant interactions among the fears, indicating that individuals fearing diseases or loneliness but being unafraid of death opted for the shortest lives. Our results indicate that fears regarding life in very old age might be associated with the wish to avoid this age period; the fear of death was however associated with the wish for particularly long lives, and thus, with distancing oneself from the dreaded event of death. We conclude that fears seem to be associated with how individuals approach old age and with what they wish for in their own future as aged people.

Challenges of Patients with Spinal Cord Injury During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a chronic condition leading to physical and psychological problems along with numerous economic burdens for patients. In late 2019, an unknown disease called COVID-19 broke out, which quickly spread throughout the world. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine the challenges of SCI patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This was a qualitative study performed among SCI patients after obtaining the code of ethics from the Research Ethics Committee of Ilam University of Medical Sciences in 2021. Data were collected using semi-structured, face-to-face individual interviews, in accordance with health protocols, in a safe environment without stress until reaching data saturation. Data were saturated after interviewing nine patients; to ensure data saturation, two additional interviews were conducted. Each interview lasted between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on the condition of each patient. The written files of the interviews were analyzed using MAXQDA software. Results: The mean age of the participants was 54 years. Thirty-two percent of the participants were female and 68% were male. After analyzing the data obtained from in-person interviews, three main themes, including expectations (need for financial support, need for social support, and need for physical support), concerns (fear of loneliness and fear of death), and health needs (health literacy, access to services and how to transmit the disease), were extracted. Conclusions: Considering the challenges in the three areas of expectations, concerns, and health care, it is necessary to take some measures to reduce these challenges.

Image of the future life in ritual texts of the peoples of Middle Volga Region

The subject of this research is the ritual texts of the peoples of Middle Volga Region of the XIX – early XX centuries. The goal lies in constructing image of the future based on ritual texts, as well as finding common motives and themes therein. Leaning on the archival materials, the author determines the key concepts of the regional folklore: desire of happiness, acquisition/loss of freedom, and loneliness. The content analysis is conducted on ritual lamentations and songs, as well as the most meaningful motives that unite all the rituals of the life cycle. The article employs culturological methods of research that allow identifying the spiritual and moral values and representations of the life cycle in the ritual texts of the peoples of Middle Volga Region. The scientific novelty consists in interpretation of the ritual texts of the population of the region as basic elements essential for constructing image of the future life. The conclusion is made that ritual texts of the inhabitants of the region feature similar theme: admiration of children, desire of happiness and freedom in the context of sending for military service and consummation of marriage, leaving home, and fear of loneliness. Shared outlook upon life created a predictable picture of the future with uniform requirements to a person as a bearer of the traditional culture. Such requirements implied the idea of the importance of reproduction of healthy generation and unification of family.

Study of Adaptogenic Properties of the Drug Klim Pet Under Stress of Dogs in a Megalopolis

Many stress factors influence pets in urban areas. The goal of this research is to understand the effects of an adaptogen called Klim Pet. Our study presents how Klim Pet affects dogs and specifically its psycho-emotional, and somatic levels. The study involved 15 dogs aged from 1.5 to 12 years. All of them live in urban environments with symptoms of chronic stress caused by various factors. For example, loss of the owner, participating in exhibitions, active breeding, moving to a new place of residence, and the fear of loneliness. All animals were given Klim Pet for 21 days in a dosage of 1 pill per 10 kg of weight one time per day. The blood sample was taken before and after consuming the drug for morphological and biochemical research. As a result, we got a significant decrease in white and red blood cell count, as well as a decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin and ESR. The ratio of leukocytes in the leukogram approached the normative values, and the level of protein and albumin reliably increased. As a result, we got a decrease in urea and creatinine levels, as well as a significant decrease in the level of bilirubin and enzyme activity - ALT, AST, and alkaline phosphatase. All of these factors represented a normalization of anabolic processes. Changes in blood composition were accompanied by positive clinical manifestations. Animals noted the normalization of appetite and digestion on the 5th-10th day after taking the drug. The neurological symptoms were leveled (destructive behavior, tremors, unmotivated aggression, obsessive behavior) after 14-18 days of taking the adaptogen. By the 20th day, we recognized an improvement in the condition of the skin and fur. The shedding mostly stopped or decreased, and the coat has become thick, shiny. The use of the drug Klim Pet had positive effects on clinical conditions. It neutralized the action of various stress factors and had a hepatoprotective effect. Klim Pet optimized metabolism, as well as the immune and nervous systems, and improved the condition of pet's fur and skin.