Linear and curvilinear associations between affinity for solitude and adjustment in adolescence

This 1-year longitudinal study examined the linear and nonlinear associations between affinity for solitude and social, school, and psychological adjustment in adolescents. Participants included 2675 eighth-grade students (1341 boys; M_age = 14.3 years) in China. Affinity for solitude was assessed through self-reports, and adjustment data were collected from multiple sources. Results showed that affinity for solitude was positively associated with later prosociality. Moreover, affinity for solitude at low to moderate levels, but not at moderate to high levels, positively predicted leadership. Affinity for solitude at low to moderate levels was negatively associated with later aggression, behavioral problems, and learning problems, but the associations were nonsignificant at moderate levels and positive at higher levels. In addition, affinity for solitude at higher levels, but not at low to moderate levels, negatively predicted school attitudes. The results suggest that the moderate level of affinity for solitude is most beneficial for adolescents' adjustment.