Adolescents’ Experiences of Existential Loneliness Regarding Receiving and Providing Support
Garnow, Tide ; Einberg, Eva Lena ; Edberg, Anna Karin LU and Garmy, Pernilla LU
(2024)
In Issues in Mental Health Nursing
45(11).
p.1176-1184
- Abstract
Among adolescents, loneliness is common. One kind of loneliness, existential loneliness, is understood as a painful part of the human condition. During adolescence, existential loneliness has been shown to be challenging to navigate independently. Therefore, this study aimed to explore Swedish adolescents’ experiences of existential loneliness regarding receiving and providing support. This study had an exploratory qualitative design based on focus group discussions (n = 9) comprising 30 Swedish adolescents (median age 18). The data was analysed inductively using thematic analysis. The adolescents’ experiences of existential loneliness regarding receiving and providing support were represented in four themes: Wanting to face existential... (More)
Among adolescents, loneliness is common. One kind of loneliness, existential loneliness, is understood as a painful part of the human condition. During adolescence, existential loneliness has been shown to be challenging to navigate independently. Therefore, this study aimed to explore Swedish adolescents’ experiences of existential loneliness regarding receiving and providing support. This study had an exploratory qualitative design based on focus group discussions (n = 9) comprising 30 Swedish adolescents (median age 18). The data was analysed inductively using thematic analysis. The adolescents’ experiences of existential loneliness regarding receiving and providing support were represented in four themes: Wanting to face existential loneliness alone, but seeking relief and support when needed; Wanting to share the experiences, but not knowing how or being afraid to bare the vulnerability; Wanting to share the experiences, but nobody is there; Supporting friends by trying to be there, but feeling insecure. In conclusion, knowledge of existential loneliness and a sensitivity to adolescents’ personal needs is crucial. Supporting and being there for adolescents may increase their ability to encounter ̶ their own or others’ ̶ experiences of existential loneliness, which could be promotive for their well-being and personal growth.
(Less)
- author
- Garnow, Tide
; Einberg, Eva Lena
; Edberg, Anna Karin
LU
and Garmy, Pernilla
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2024
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- Issues in Mental Health Nursing
- volume
- 45
- issue
- 11
- pages
- 1176 - 1184
- publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:39173122
- scopus:85201809347
- ISSN
- 0161-2840
- DOI
- 10.1080/01612840.2024.2386404
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 121bf2ae-0f9c-4cc0-8a03-0ffaea752030
- date added to LUP
- 2024-10-31 09:13:32
- date last changed
- 2025-07-11 21:03:17
@article{121bf2ae-0f9c-4cc0-8a03-0ffaea752030,
abstract = {{<p>Among adolescents, loneliness is common. One kind of loneliness, existential loneliness, is understood as a painful part of the human condition. During adolescence, existential loneliness has been shown to be challenging to navigate independently. Therefore, this study aimed to explore Swedish adolescents’ experiences of existential loneliness regarding receiving and providing support. This study had an exploratory qualitative design based on focus group discussions (n = 9) comprising 30 Swedish adolescents (median age 18). The data was analysed inductively using thematic analysis. The adolescents’ experiences of existential loneliness regarding receiving and providing support were represented in four themes: Wanting to face existential loneliness alone, but seeking relief and support when needed; Wanting to share the experiences, but not knowing how or being afraid to bare the vulnerability; Wanting to share the experiences, but nobody is there; Supporting friends by trying to be there, but feeling insecure. In conclusion, knowledge of existential loneliness and a sensitivity to adolescents’ personal needs is crucial. Supporting and being there for adolescents may increase their ability to encounter ̶ their own or others’ ̶ experiences of existential loneliness, which could be promotive for their well-being and personal growth.</p>}},
author = {{Garnow, Tide and Einberg, Eva Lena and Edberg, Anna Karin and Garmy, Pernilla}},
issn = {{0161-2840}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{11}},
pages = {{1176--1184}},
publisher = {{Taylor & Francis}},
series = {{Issues in Mental Health Nursing}},
title = {{Adolescents’ Experiences of Existential Loneliness Regarding Receiving and Providing Support}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2024.2386404}},
doi = {{10.1080/01612840.2024.2386404}},
volume = {{45}},
year = {{2024}},
}