Cacioppo et al. (2015).

Question 1

What is loneliness?

Answer 1

Perceived discrepancy between preferred and actual social relations

Question 2

Is quality or quantity of social relations more important in loneliness?

Answer 2

Quality

Question 3

How does loneliness relate to depression?

Answer 3

Moderately correlated but separate

Question 4

What populations are more at risk of becoming lonely?

Answer 4

Populations at risk of social alienation, separation, isolation

Question 5

What is solitude?

Answer 5

Pleasant state - enjoyment of being alone

Question 6

What is intimate (emotional) loneliness?

Answer 6

Perceived absence of significant other (intimate space)

Question 7

What is relational (social) loneliness?

Answer 7

Perceived absence of quality friendships, family connections (social space - family, acquaintances)

Question 8

What is collective loneliness?

Answer 8

Perceived lack of connection to similar others (public space - school, group, nationality; more anonymous)

Question 9

How do Cacioppo et al. suggest treating loneliness, and which method is the best?

Answer 9

Social support
More social interactions (though does not guarantee quality)
Teaching social skills (though that not main reason for loneliness)
Addressing maladaptive social cognitions (this is the best)

Question 10

How do maladaptive social cognitions self-reinforce?

Answer 10

Perception: social isolation -> self-preservation + motivation to connect -> hyper-vigilance for social threat -> confirmatory, attentional + memory biases -> focus on negative social interactions -> withdrawal, negativity, loneliness