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Loneliness in Social Networking Sites Among Young Adults: An Evolutionary Concept Analysis
Deepesh Kumar Behra1, Anita Duffy2, Yogesh Deshpande1
1Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.
Issues in Mental Health Nursing
|February 6, 2026
Summary
Young adults experience loneliness on social networking sites, which requires conceptual clarity. This study defines loneliness attributes, antecedents, and consequences on these platforms to aid mental health nurses in supporting young adults.
Area of Science:
- Mental Health Nursing
- Digital Sociology
- Adolescent Psychology
Background:
- Young adults face significant challenges during the transition to adulthood, often leading to increased loneliness.
- Social networking sites (SNS) are primary platforms for social connection among young adults, yet the concept of loneliness within SNS lacks clear definition.
- Understanding loneliness in the context of SNS is crucial for developing effective mental health interventions for this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the concept of loneliness experienced by young adults on social networking sites.
- To provide mental health nurses with a framework for understanding loneliness within the digital environment.
- To identify attributes, antecedents, and consequences of loneliness on SNS for young adults.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search utilizing Rodgers's Evolutionary Model as a theoretical framework.
- Conceptual analysis of existing research on loneliness and social networking sites among young adults.
- Identification and categorization of key attributes, antecedents, and consequences.
Main Results:
- Loneliness on SNS among young adults is characterized by three attribute categories: Engagement-based, Consumption-based, and Emotion-based.
- Antecedents of this loneliness are grouped into Emotion-linked and Skill-linked factors.
- Multiple consequences of loneliness on SNS were identified, highlighting its multifaceted nature.
Conclusions:
- Social networking sites represent a significant and evolving platform for the diverse expressions of loneliness in young adults.
- This conceptual understanding is vital for mental health professionals to develop targeted interventions and policies addressing digital interaction dynamics.
- Improved comprehension of loneliness patterns on SNS can enhance mental health support and foster social connection for young adults in the digital age.
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