Amanda Holmstrom, Ph.D., interim chair, professor and director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Communication, has published new research examining how young adults experience both connection and loneliness during a pivotal life stage.
“While popular culture often paints today's young adults as disconnected and lonely, we found that their experiences are more complex than that," said Holmstrom. "Yes, many report feeling lonely, but simultaneously, they report connection and happiness within their friendships. It's a 'both-and' situation. We believe that the life transitions common in this age group, like moving for work or school, disrupt people's sense of 'ontological security,' or the basic feeling of life predictability. However, the strong connection with friends persists throughout these transitions.”
The study, Lonely and connected in emerging adulthood: The ambivalence of sociality in a time of transitions, draws on data from the American Friendship Project, a nationally representative survey of nearly 5,000 Americans.
“We wanted to understand the demographics and life experiences associated with feelings of loneliness and connection,” said Holmstrom. “Using such a large, representative dataset allowed us to observe patterns in ways not possible with smaller samples.”
Beyond clarifying public assumptions about loneliness, Holmstrom sees the findings as both optimistic and meaningful for educators, families and communities that support young people.
“To me, the most important finding is that it’s not all doom-and-gloom for young folks today. The life changes that are generally seen as positive – graduating college, moving to a new job, starting graduate school – can come with some feelings of loneliness. However, even in the face of that disconnection, there is friendship.”
Holmstrom’s research highlights that while emerging adulthood is a time of instability and transition, it is also a period enriched by meaningful social connections that can help young adults navigate change with resilience.
By Claire Dippel