Loneliness
This article reviews theory and empirical research on loneliness with an emphasis on late childhood through late adolescence and early adulthood. The authors first discuss theoretical perspectives on loneliness from various intellectual traditions - with a particular focus on social needs perspectives on loneliness - and then briefly review different loneliness assessments that may be used with children and adolescents. Next, the authors present an overview of the developmental and contextual factors that may influence the degree of loneliness that is experienced during adolescence. Finally, the authors review research on the link between loneliness and peer and family relationships, and examine what is known about the behavioral and cognitive styles of lonely youth. © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
