American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
67
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajsshr
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue06 2025
PAGE NO.
67-69
10.37547/ajsshr/Volume05Issue06-17
24
Age-Related Characteristics Of Loneliness
Ataboyev Navruzbek Ilhombek
Utas Psychology Department Teacher, Uzbekistan
Received:
14 April 2025;
Accepted:
10 May 2025;
Published:
18 June 2025
Abstract:
At different ages, a person may feel alienated from society and interpersonal relationships. For some,
loneliness becomes a comfort zone. What are the motives behind this, and how can it be explained from a
psychological perspective? In this article, we will attempt to answer these questions, at least to some extent.
Keywords:
Loneliness, socialization, stereotype, adaptation, adolescence.
Introduction:
As people age, the experience and
perception of loneliness can change significantly. This
topic is highly relevant today due to the many factors
that influence loneliness at different life stages. In
adulthood especially, individuals face responsibilities in
various areas of life
—
such as family, career, and
personal development
—
which can contribute to
feelings of isolation.
The problem of loneliness has drawn attention from
experts across multiple scientific fields. Researchers
continue to explore this phenomenon, often
associating it with fear, depression, and other negative
psychological states.
In our study, we aim to understand how young people
perceive loneliness and how their experiences of it
develop over time. While we may not answer every
question, we hope to shed light on some of the key
aspects.
The feeling of loneliness during adolescence is a
common and natural part of emotional development.
It often becomes an integral part of a teenager’s
personal growth, especially as they begin to form their
identity and navigate social conflicts. In emotionally
challenging situations, loneliness can emerge as a
response to unresolved inner struggles.
This sense of loneliness may arise because teenagers
are constantly seeking connection but often feel
misunderstood or isolated. At the same time, they
begin to move toward independence, learning to make
decisions and act on their own. However, this journey
can sometimes feel lonely, especially when they lack
supportive relationships or feel unable to share their
thoughts with others.Along with emotional challenges,
loneliness often makes communication difficult and
becomes an obstacle to building intimate and trusting
relationships. It can negatively shape a teenager’s self
-
perception, leading to a distorted or overly critical view
of themselves.
Adolescents experiencing loneliness may begin to feel
unneeded or unwanted, often struggling with low self-
confidence, self-doubt, and a lack of self-respect. These
feelings can cause them to withdraw from social
interactions and escape into fantasies or daydreams. As
a result, they may become more prone to emotional
conflicts and find it difficult to cope with real-world
challenges.Researchers
have
identified
several
personal factors that may contribute to the
development of loneliness. These include:
Low
self-esteem,shyness,heightened
self-
consciousness,a tendency to be overly critical in
relationships,low levels of sociability,certain character
traits, such as selfishness and aggression.
The appearance of loneliness in adolescents can be
caused by several key factors, including:
Lack of sufficient communication with peers
•Poor communication skills o
r low social competence
•Feeling unaccepted or rejected by others
•Not receiving emotional support or validation for their
inner thoughts and experiences
•Facing high expectations or pressure from others
•Having unrealistic or distorted views about
relationships based on media or personal fantasies
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
68
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American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research (ISSN: 2771-2141)
Teenager depression is one of the most complicated
problems; its consequences can lead to self-harm,
violence, drug addiction, and behavioral deviation.
M.B. Keller states that the average age of patients with
the onset of depression is 14 years. During
adolescence, conflicts may appear between realized
needs and the impossibility of satisfying them, because
many previous relationships break and are re-
established. This brings despair. In adolescents,
situations that lead to despair and loneliness arise for
several reasons: on one hand, they demand recognition
from adults; on the other hand, the social situation
remains unchanged
—
they are no longer children, but
not yet fully grown. This conflict can become chronic,
possibly leading to spiritual diseases, especially mood
disorders.The feeling of loneliness in youth can
manifest in various forms and may become a medical
concern due to different reasons and situations. During
adolescence and youth, loneliness can be experienced
more deeply and intensely. The reason for this is that,
compared to later stages of life, young people have less
life experience and have not yet developed full
emotional or social adaptation.
In the general population, the number of elderly people
is increasing, and it is necessary to treat them with
great respect and attention, considering their
experience and needs. Respecting the elderly involves
integrating them into society, establishing connections
between the older and younger generations, and
ensuring that society provides adequate material
conditions
—
such as the amount of pensions, quality of
housing, level of medical services, and other forms of
support.
Older people experience noticeable changes in their
living conditions and environment, their roles in social
and family settings, and the nature of their social and
friendly connections.
This ultimately leads to the loss of life goals and a sense
of meaning. Loneliness becomes a constant
characteristic of the elderly as a social group.
It is possible for a person to live in solitude and not feel
lonely, just as it is possible to be socially active and
surrounded by others yet still feel lonely.
In old age, loneliness is not just a personal issue but has
clearly become a social concern. This is primarily due to
the absence of close relatives, children and
grandchildren, and life partners, as well as the fact that
elderly individuals often live separately from their
family members. The level and causes of loneliness in
old people also depend on how it is understood by
younger generations.
Being separated from family is not the only reason
elderly people may feel lonely. A person can feel lonely
even while living with their family. Psychologists state
that this is one of the main causes of loneliness
—
loss.
The loss of a spouse, friends, or other people who were
once valuable to the individual often becomes a deep
and heavy burden for older adults, sometimes leading
to depression and, in a short time, physical decline.
Even when an elderly person manages to overcome the
sadness and pain of losing someone, the space that
person occupied in their heart remains. Objects,
souvenirs, photos, and other items associated with the
person continue to remind them of what was lost. The
elderly often reflect on the past and feel that the best
moments of their life have already been left behind.
Retirement is one of the most difficult psychological
crises in life. It often brings sudden and sharp changes
to a person's lifestyle. For many years, people perform
important daily tasks, communicate with colleagues,
discuss work and personal matters, and feel like an
essential part of a team and the larger social system.
They become accustomed to being needed and having
a structured role.
After retirement, a person may not know how to spend
their time or maintain regular communication. As a
result, even within the family circle, they may begin to
feel like a stranger.
As health worsens, chronic diseases increase, and age-
related changes begin to appear, a person is often
forced to adjust their lifestyle. After retirement, activity
decreases
—
people go out less and meet with friends
and relatives less frequently. Instead, the television
often takes on the role of a companion.
Poor health leads to feelings of despair, which in turn
strengthen the sense of loneliness.
Loss of life’s meaning. An old person may feel that
everything has already been experienced. Interest in
previous training or long-time favorite activities
remains, but they no longer bring positive emotions.
In society, ageism exists
—
the belief that old people
cannot do certain things because of their age is
widespread. Some elderly people face restrictions
related to age in maintaining health, continuing work,
or receiving education
Many old people do not accept loneliness as a normal
situation, yet they are afraid or ashamed to seek help
from a psychologist. In fact, asking for help is absolutely
normal. A specialist does not ask uncomfortable
questions or offer criticism. On the contrary, all efforts
are ma
de to ensure the client’s emotional comfort.
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Oʼsmirlarda
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psixologiyasi. Mullaboeva N. Sh. Toshkent 2019
