Citation

Thomas A. Gruppendynamik 1998; 29(3): 295-311.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

With increased individual mobility and density of communication the number of people suffering from loneliness should have decreased. However statistics and observations in the various therapeutic institutions show that loneliness is still a life factor which is psychologically difficult for very many people. After a discussion of the concept a variety of theories about the causes and appearances of loneliness are dealt with. It is shown that the cognitive discrepancy theory is very important since it defines loneliness as the result of deficient comparisons between the desired quantity and quality of social relationships and their actual realisation. Using the cognitive dissonance theory a model of social-cognitive loneliness is developed. This model and the resulting circular process towards loneliness is discussed using empirical evidence derived from studies with students and adult suicide candidates. The possibilities for overcoming temporary and chronic loneliness are discussed. It can be shown that in the study of loneliness theories, models and constructs derived from cognitively oriented social psychology are very useful.

Language: de