Insight: Youth Loneliness

Executive Summary

In 2018, Young Scot will be working with the Co-op foundation on a project aiming to reduce the impact of youth loneliness. Ahead of this project, Young Scot were asked to do some research to gain a baseline understanding of what loneliness represents for young people across Scotland.

Young Scot created an online survey to gather insight into young people’s thoughts and experiences of loneliness. The activity was hosted on the Young Scot Rewards platform between 26th August and 2nd November 2016 using Young Scot’s preferred third-party tool Survey Gizmo. The survey received 997 fully completed responses.

• Almost all (98%) of respondents associate the term “loneliness” with being physically or mentally isolated from others. Respondents also said that loneliness can come as a result of actions by others, is associated with certain emotions such as sadness and anger and can be perceived differently by different individuals.

• Just over a third (34%) stated that they feel lonely either most of the time or more than half of the time. Almost half (49%) of respondents stated that they occasionally feel lonely.

• Almost half (46%) of respondents think that other people’s actions is what makes young people feel lonely. Other reasons included isolation, individual experience, pressure, changes, society, and experiencing certain emotions.

• A quarter of respondents identified a specific time when they feel lonely, with most identifying the evening, night time or when tired. Other times when respondents were likely to feel lonely are when they are isolated, as a result of others’ actions, a specific place (e.g. school, college or uni), when they are going through something personal, social situations, when they are feeling certain emotions, and during new experiences.

• When respondents were asked to share a time that they felt really lonely, 36% stated that they felt that way due to the impact of other people’s actions. Other themes within responses were isolation, individual experience, changes, related to a specific place, related to a specific time, and when they are feeling under pressure.

• Almost half (47%) of respondents stated that they don’t think [using social media] makes a difference to feelings of loneliness. Twenty-seven percent selected that it makes them feel more lonely, while 26% selected less lonely.

• When asked to describe their experiences with social media, 36% described a negative experience, while 35% described a positive experience. Other responses were around the themes of social media not making a difference to feelings of loneliness, use can make you feel more or less lonely dependent on situation, and social media provides a temporary positive experience.

• When asked how young people could overcome loneliness, half of the responses (49%) were regarding seeking some form of support from others. Other themes included individuals making physical changes, new experiences, making changes to mental state, use of social media or the internet, wider societal changes and the difficulty with overcoming loneliness.

• When asked what support should be available in the future to make young people feel less lonely, 36% suggested a variety of people/organisations that young people can turn to. Other themes included improving access to services and social space, options for communication, education and raising awareness of loneliness, societal change, connecting lonely people with the right peers, and individual enrichment.

Responses to qualitative questions have undergone thematic analysis using NVivo software. Themes were generated using the Autocoded Themes feature. Each response was individually read and coded into themes, with new themes being created as required. Once the analysis of each question was complete, similar themes were then grouped into overarching themes.

In some cases, a response met the criteria of more than one node. All answers have been coded into as many themes as relevant, meaning some answers span several themes. This means that the quantified results from qualitative questions may not always add up to 100%.

Some responses have been labelled as ‘non-pertinent’. These were typed responses that were deemed either overly explicit or not understandable.

Youth Loneliness Survey Responses

There were 997 completed responses to the survey.

“Loneliness is not being able to find support, to find an escape, in/with others. It is being isolated, even if in a room full of people or with a phone full of numbers.”

There were 915 typed responses to this question.

Responses were categorised into five key themes:

1. Isolation

2. Impact of others

3. Emotions

4. Individual experience

Twenty-one people typed a variation of Nothing or I don’t know. Sixty responses were categorised as Other as they were not in line with the other themes.

Nine responses to this question were excluded from thematic analysis as they were considered to be ‘nonpertinent’. These responses are not included in the report but are available in the Appendices.

Almost all respondents (898) made reference to isolation creating loneliness, mainly not being able to connect with others. There were also distinctions made between being alone (physical isolation) and feeling alone while being surrounded by people (mental isolation). Seven responses stated that loneliness meant being unable to connect with their peers specifically.

Just under two hundred respondents (199) stated that they viewed loneliness as a result of others, either indirectly (through lack of support) or directly (through exclusion).

Just over a hundred respondents specified a particular emotion/feeling that they associate with loneliness.

A tenth of respondents referenced how loneliness can be perceived by the individual. Most stated that loneliness comes from feeling different from or not understood by others. Seven respondents described a specific experience from their lives.

Sixty responses were categorised as Other. This category includes the secondary themes describing the positives of being alone, loneliness can come as a product of not having someone to care for, and loneliness affects everyone in different ways. Thirty-six responses were completely separate from all other themes.

Just over a third (34%) stated that they feel lonely either most of the time or more than half of the time. Almost half (49%) of respondents stated that they occasionally feel lonely.

“When they feel as though no one is like them and they are different to their peers, they haven't made friends or fit in as well as others might. When they've been excluded from a friend group, or when they don't feel listened to.”

There were 871 typed responses to this question.

Responses were categorised into seven key themes:

1. Impact of others

2. Isolation

3. Individual experience

4. Pressure

5. Changes

6. Society

7. Emotions

Eleven people typed a variation of Nothing or I don’t know. Sixty-one responses were categorised as Other as they were not in line with the other themes.

Seven responses to this question were excluded from thematic analysis as they were considered to be ‘nonpertinent’. These responses are not included in the report but are available in the Appendices.

Just under four hundred respondents (399) stated that young people may feel loneliness as a result of others, either indirectly (through lack of support) or directly (through exclusion). Bullying, discrimination of others and a lack of trust were also identified.

Over two fifths of respondents (377) made reference to isolation creating loneliness, mainly not being able to connect with others. There were also distinctions made between being alone (physical isolation) and feeling alone while being surrounded by people (mental isolation). Twenty responses mentioned a lack of space to socialise or meet new people.

Over three hundred respondents (334) referred to how young people may feel loneliness due to individual experience. Most stated that social media/the internet may make young people feel lonely. Four individuals described a specific experience from their lives.

Just over one hundred (102) respondents stated that young people may feel lonely when they experience a form of pressure, mainly from schoolwork.

A tenth of respondents stated that young people may feel lonely during times of change. These include life transitions (e.g. moving schools) as well as changes in existing relationships. Shifting hormones during teenage years was also mentioned.

Just under 50 respondents (49) said that young people may feel lonely due to societal issues or pressures. Sixteen respondents highlighted that adults may not take young people’s problems seriously, which could lead to feelings of loneliness.

Ten respondents identified that young people may feel lonely when they are experiencing boredom or sadness.

Fifty-five responses were categorised as Other as they were not in line with the other themes. Six individuals stated that loneliness affects everyone differently and therefore young people may feel lonely at different times.

“I am most likely to feel lonely when it is late at night and about to go to sleep; it’s where your imagination can run wild and sometimes tell you all the bad things about yourself/tell you how you don't fit in etc.”

There were 868 typed responses to this question.

Responses were categorised into eight key themes:

1. Specific time

2. Isolation

3. Impact of others

4. Specific place

5. Individual experience

6. Social situations

7. Emotions

8. New experiences

Twenty-six people typed a variation of Never or I don’t know. Seventy-seven responses were categorised as Other as they were not in line with the other themes. Thirteen responses to this question were excluded from thematic analysis as they were considered to be ‘nonpertinent’. These responses are not included in the report but are available in the Appendices.

A quarter of respondents identified certain times when they are most likely to feel lonely. Almost a hundred stated that this happens when they are alone at night. Weekends and holidays were also common answers (62 responses).

Two hundred respondents stated that they feel lonely when they are physically isolated from others or unable to contact them.

Almost 200 respondents (198) described feeling lonely as a result of others. This was mainly down to exclusion, either in general or by their friends.

Almost 200 respondents (190) identified a specific place that they feel lonely. Although most stated school, college or university, almost 80 respondents said they felt lonely while at home.

Almost 150 respondents (147) described a particular experience that led them to feeling lonely. Sixty-six respondents described difficulty with talking to others, either feeling unable to or that they have nothing in common. Stressful situations and issues with mental health were described by 36 respondents. Seven respondents stated that they feel lonely when using social media or the internet.

Sixty-four respondents described a variety of social situations where they feel lonely.

Forty-five respondents specified a particular emotion/feeling that they associate with loneliness.

Twenty-nine respondents stated that they feel lonely when going through a new experience.

Almost a tenth of respondents described other times when the experience loneliness, with 20 stating that a variety of situations can cause it. Seven respondents said they feel lonely everyday or most of the time.

“When I have felt excluded by my friends.”

There were 758 typed responses to this question.

Responses were categorised into seven key themes:

1. Impact of others

2. Isolation

3. Individual experience

4. Changes

5. Specific place

6. Specific time

7. Pressure

Eighty-eight people typed a variation of Never or I don’t know. Fifteen respondents said that they preferred not to answer the question. Fifty-seven responses were categorised as Other as they were not in line with the other themes.

Twenty-seven responses to this question were excluded from thematic analysis as they were considered to be ‘nonpertinent’. These responses are not included in the report but are available in the Appendices.

Over a third of respondents (270) described a time that they felt lonely as a result of other people.

Almost a quarter of respondents (173) described a time that they felt lonely as a result of being alone or unable to contact other people.

Just over a fifth of respondents (169) described a time that they felt lonely due to individual experiences or perceptions. Issues with health both mental and physical were raised by 76 respondents. Seventy-one respondents stated that they found it difficult to connect with others, either because they did not feel understood or felt they had nothing in common.

Just over a hundred respondents (106) stated that they felt lonely due to a time of change in their life. Forty responses were in reference to changing schools or starting university. Twenty-two respondents said they felt lonely during the breakdown of a relationship and 25 said bereavement of some form.

Fifty-one respondents identified a specific place that they feel lonely. Although most stated school, college or uni, 13 respondents said they felt lonely while at home.

A quarter of respondents identified certain times when they are most likely to feel lonely. Weekends and holidays were also common answers (62 responses).

Thirty-two respondents stated that they feel lonely when they experience a form of pressure.

Three respondents said that they felt lonely everyday or most of the time. Fifty-seven responses were categorised as Other as they did not fit the above themes.

Almost half (47%) of respondents stated that they don’t think [using social media] makes a difference. Twenty-seven percent selected that it makes them feel more lonely, while 26% selected less lonely.

“Social media portrays people's lives as much much better and shinier than they are in reality, making "ordinary" people feel inadequate. Or, perhaps, seeing your "friends" interact with their friends, but not with you.”

There were 559 typed responses to this question.

Responses were categorised into seven key themes:

1. Negative experience

2. Positive experience

3. Doesn’t make a difference

4. Dependent on situation

5. Temporary positive experience

Twenty people stated that they Don’t use social media. Thirty-four people typed a variation of Nothing or I don’t know. Eighteen respondents said that they preferred not to answer the question. Forty-three responses were categorised as Other as they were not in line with the other themes.

Ninety-six respondents answered the question in terms of their experience of loneliness rather than social media, and eleven respondents did not understand the question. This may have been due to the wording of the question being quite open.

Thirty-one responses to this question were excluded from thematic analysis as they were considered to be ‘nonpertinent’. These responses are not included in the report but are available in the Appendices.

Just over 200 respondents (202) described a negative experience associated with using social media, with 32 stating that using social media makes them feel more lonely. The main reason that respondents have negative experiences is that social media makes them feel excluded by others as they see pictures and events that have happened without them. Thirty-four respondents said that they feel they have an inadequate social life as a result of comparison to others on social media. However, 14 respondents stated that online lives can be fake representation, and 23 respondents think that using social media does not replace real life interactions.

Almost 200 respondents (195) described a positive experience associated with using social media, with 29 stating that using social media makes them feel less lonely. The main reason that respondents have positive experiences is that social media allows them to keep in contact with friends and family. Social media is also thought to allow people to make new friends as they can contact people with similar interests and experiences from all over the world.

Twenty-nine respondents thought that social media use does not impact feelings of loneliness.

Seventeen respondents stated that social media can make you feel either more lonely or less lonely dependent on the scenario.

Ten respondents stated that social media can impact them positively, but this effect is only temporary.

Forty-three responses were categorised as Other as they did not fit the above themes.

“Seeking help, not just professional help but going out of their way to talk to someone i.e. a relative or a friend, or even a stranger you don’t know. More often than not people will be there for you to sit and listen and help you overcome your issues.”

There were 780 typed responses to this question.

Responses were categorised into seven key themes:

1. Seek support

2. Physical changes

3. New experiences

4. Mental changes

5. Social media or internet

6. Wider changes

7. Difficult to overcome

Fifty-six people typed a variation of Nothing or I don’t know. Sixty-four responses were categorised as Other as they were not in line with the other themes.

Thirteen responses to this question were excluded from thematic analysis as they were considered to be ‘nonpertinent’. These responses are not included in the report but are available in the Appendices.

Almost half of respondents (386) suggested that seeking support from others will help overcome loneliness. Most said this generally, while 173 respondents identified someone more specific.

Almost half of respondents (375) suggested physical changes that young people can make to overcome loneliness, either by socialising with the right people, changing their environment or being more productive.

A fifth of respondents (158) suggested that young people should involve themselves in new experiences to overcome loneliness.

Almost a tenth of respondents (63) suggested changes that young people can make to their mental state in order to overcome loneliness.

Fifty-nine respondents suggested changing social media use to help overcome loneliness, either negatively (i.e. restricting use) or positively (i.e. reaching out online).

Fifty-one respondents suggested changes that could be made by the wider world that would help young people overcome loneliness.

Ten respondents stated that overcoming loneliness would be difficult for young people.

Other suggestions included getting a pet or interacting with animals and turning to religion. Four people described a personal experience that helped them with loneliness. Fifty-one responses were categorised as Other as they did not fit any of the above themes.

“Somewhere you can go to meet other young people and teens who feel the same way that way you will have something to bond over.”

There were 717 typed responses to this question.

Responses were categorised into seven key themes:

1. Who to turn to

2. Improve access

3. Options for communication

4. Education/promotion

5. Societal change

6. Audience

7. Individual enrichment

Sixty-five people typed a variation of Nothing or I don’t know. Ninety-nine responses were categorised as Other as they were not in line with the other themes.

Seventeen responses to this question were excluded from thematic analysis as they were considered to be ‘nonpertinent’. These responses are not included in the report but are available in the Appendices.

Over a third of respondents (260) described who young people should turn to for support. Nine respondents named a specific support group that they had heard of.

Over 200 respondents (210) stated that access to certain forms of support will need to be improved in the future. Access to space for young people to socialise was the most popular suggestion. Seventeen respondents stated that access to mental health services also needs improvement.

A fifth of respondents (142) suggested ways in which young people may receive support in the future

Almost a tenth of respondents (55) stated that there should be greater education around loneliness and awareness of services that can help. Seven respondents highlighted a need for education around social media or internet safety

Forty-four respondents identified that societal change would create greater support for loneliness in the future, particularly by removing stigma or creating an understanding around the topic.

Twenty-nine respondents highlighted that the types of young people that need support will need to be taken into account. The main suggestion within this theme is that support should aim to bring together similar groups of people.

Seventeen respondents stated that support for loneliness should start with individual change.

Five respondents stated that support for feeling lonely would be different for everyone. Four respondents said that any support would help, and one respondent mentioned religion. Eighty-eight responses were categorised as Other as they did not fit any of the above themes.

Summary of Findings

Throughout the entire survey, a number of key themes were identified consistently across several questions. Respondents primarily associated loneliness with isolation, with recognition that this can be mental as well as physical – people can feel lonely even if they are surrounded by others. Exclusion by others was also a recurring theme, which can be exacerbated by seeing other people’s lives on social media.

The questions surrounding the impact of social media on loneliness produced mixed responses. There is a difference between how respondents answered the quantitative versus qualitative question, with more people describing a negative experience (36%) compared to the amount who selected that social media made them feel more lonely (27%). Responses state that the way that young people use social media can make them feel differently (i.e. organising social events is a positive use, while using other people’s online lives as a comparison is negative).

The link between feelings of loneliness and mental health is very strong throughout the responses. Responses to six out of seven qualitative questions were regarding mental health issues or access to mental health support. Several other themes relate to events that can impact your mental health and in turn heighten feelings of loneliness (e.g. school pressure, stressful situations, life transitions and changes).

In terms of specific places where young people can feel lonely, school, college or university were referenced in a total of 150 responses across the entire survey. In contrast, young people stated that they either feel lonely at home, (91 mentions across the survey) or during holidays (38 mentions across the survey). This suggests that while some respondents feel uncomfortable when at school, college or university, others view them as a place to socialise with friends. There is a call from some respondents for educational institutions to play a greater role in tackling loneliness, either through education (25 total mentions) or support (77 total mentions).

For the respondents surveyed, the most common suggestion from young people to overcome loneliness was to seek some form of support. When asked for suggestions of support, the most common responses were access to social space, support groups, support in school, college or university, online chat room/forum and phone line. While the first three suggestions are related to finding support by sharing experiences in person, the final two propose anonymous support. A need for societal change was also highlighted by 44 respondents, with multiple references to stigma surrounding loneliness.

Demographics

Sixty-nine percent of respondents in the survey identified as female and 26% identified as male. Of the remaining four percent, 19 respondents selected other and 21 respondents selected prefer not to say.

Most survey respondents were in their mid- to late teens (15-17 years old).

There was representation across all 32 Local Authorities from survey respondents. The largest number of respondents were from Edinburgh (93).

The majority of survey respondents (684) are currently at school.

Eighty-one percent of respondents in the survey answered this question with No and 13% selected Yes. Sixty-two respondents selected prefer not to say.

The majority of respondents (72%) defined their sexuality as Straight.

The majority of respondents (61%) defined their ethnic group as White-Scottish.

The majority of respondents (58%) stated that they have no religion.