Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Stolen moments: a mixed-method thesis on loneliness in tertiary education

Durling, Hjalmar LU (2023) SOCK10 20231
Sociology
Abstract
This thesis employs a mixed-method sequential explanatory design to investigate perceived loneliness. In the first phase, using survey data from SOM-undersökningen (2023), the quantitative analysis uncovers an association between tertiary education and perceived loneliness in Sweden; diverging from established literature that links education to improved subjective health outcomes. In the second, qualitative phase, 14 interviews are conducted with students at Lund and Malmö University. A grounded theory approach is utilized in the construction of questions and in the coding. The findings of phase two deviates from those in the first phase. The effects of customary control variables—i.e. gender and age—are found not to have any major... (More)
This thesis employs a mixed-method sequential explanatory design to investigate perceived loneliness. In the first phase, using survey data from SOM-undersökningen (2023), the quantitative analysis uncovers an association between tertiary education and perceived loneliness in Sweden; diverging from established literature that links education to improved subjective health outcomes. In the second, qualitative phase, 14 interviews are conducted with students at Lund and Malmö University. A grounded theory approach is utilized in the construction of questions and in the coding. The findings of phase two deviates from those in the first phase. The effects of customary control variables—i.e. gender and age—are found not to have any major significance on perceived loneliness for students. Complex mechanisms, including the influence of cultural differences and instances of social exclusion, are instead identified as factors contributing to the experience of perceived loneliness among interviewees. Reducing the observed gap between local and international students may be a plausible way of partially dealing with loneliness in tertiary education in Lund and Malmö. For future research, it is imperative to conduct in-depth explorations into the nuanced domains of social exclusion within the academic setting, to delve into the intricate role of cultural influences on loneliness, and to investigate a proposed moderation effect of health-related variables. This study lays the groundwork for a more comprehensive academic inquiry into the complexities of perceived loneliness among tertiary education students and offers a foundation for potential targeted interventions. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Durling, Hjalmar LU
supervisor
organization
course
SOCK10 20231
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
loneliness, university, social exclusion, emotional loneliness, social loneliness, mixed-method
language
English
id
9136337
date added to LUP
2023-09-05 13:40:00
date last changed
2023-09-05 13:40:00
@misc{9136337,
  abstract     = {{This thesis employs a mixed-method sequential explanatory design to investigate perceived loneliness. In the first phase, using survey data from SOM-undersökningen (2023), the quantitative analysis uncovers an association between tertiary education and perceived loneliness in Sweden; diverging from established literature that links education to improved subjective health outcomes. In the second, qualitative phase, 14 interviews are conducted with students at Lund and Malmö University. A grounded theory approach is utilized in the construction of questions and in the coding. The findings of phase two deviates from those in the first phase. The effects of customary control variables—i.e. gender and age—are found not to have any major significance on perceived loneliness for students. Complex mechanisms, including the influence of cultural differences and instances of social exclusion, are instead identified as factors contributing to the experience of perceived loneliness among interviewees. Reducing the observed gap between local and international students may be a plausible way of partially dealing with loneliness in tertiary education in Lund and Malmö. For future research, it is imperative to conduct in-depth explorations into the nuanced domains of social exclusion within the academic setting, to delve into the intricate role of cultural influences on loneliness, and to investigate a proposed moderation effect of health-related variables. This study lays the groundwork for a more comprehensive academic inquiry into the complexities of perceived loneliness among tertiary education students and offers a foundation for potential targeted interventions.}},
  author       = {{Durling, Hjalmar}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Stolen moments: a mixed-method thesis on loneliness in tertiary education}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}