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Loneliness across cultures with different levels of social embeddedness: A qualitative study
Author(s) -
Heu Luzia C.,
Hansen Nina,
Zomeren Martijn,
Levy Aharon,
Ivanova Tsvetina T.,
Gangadhar Aiswarya,
Radwan Mahmoud
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
personal relationships
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.81
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1475-6811
pISSN - 1350-4126
DOI - 10.1111/pere.12367
Subject(s) - loneliness , embeddedness , psychology , thematic analysis , qualitative research , social psychology , qualitative analysis , developmental psychology , sociology , social science
Valid theorizing and quantitative comparisons of loneliness across cultures require cross‐culturally similar meanings of loneliness. However, we know little about whether this is the case: Influential conceptualizations of loneliness mostly come from North America or Europe, where individuals tend to have relatively few stable social relationships and social interactions (i.e., less socially embedded cultures). We thus compare selected conceptualizations of loneliness from the literature to loneliness experiences that are reported in 42 semi‐structured interviews from countries with different levels of social embeddedness (Austria, Bulgaria, Israel, Egypt, India). Encouragingly, our thematic analysis does not suggest fundamental qualitative differences in loneliness definitions, perceived causes, or remedies. Nevertheless, we noticed and discuss aspects that may not be sufficiently considered in previous literature.