While young adults report strong social connections and satisfaction with their friendships, many also grapple with feelings of loneliness. A new study challenges the notion that this generation is fundamentally isolated, revealing a more complex picture of social well-being in an era defined by constant change.
Research led by Jeffrey A. Hall at the University of Kansas suggests that ongoing transitions – from moving to changing jobs and starting relationships – can impact social health even when surrounded by supportive friends. The study, published in PLOS One, surveyed nearly 5,000 Americans across age groups about their social lives and recent life changes.
The Paradox of Connection
Contrary to the popular narrative that portrays young adults as perpetually disconnected, this research found they actively cultivate friendships and feel confident in their ability to build new relationships. Yet, a significant portion reported experiencing loneliness alongside these connections. This suggests that merely having friends isn’t the sole determinant of social well-being; how individuals manage life’s unpredictable shifts plays a crucial role.
The authors propose the concept of “ontological security” – a sense of predictability and belonging – as a key factor in social well-being. Uncertainty about the future, even within established friendships, can erode this sense of stability. Frequent transitions inherent in young adulthood – delayed milestones like marriage or homeownership – contribute to this feeling of instability despite active social engagement.
Age, Stability, and Social Connection
Interestingly, older participants reported greater social well-being despite having fewer friends than their younger counterparts. Their networks were characterized by greater stability, likely reflecting the sense of predictability that comes with established careers, relationships, and homes.
“Young adults seek connection as they navigate the ups and downs of becoming adults,” says Hall, “But since the 1990s, trends suggest young people have been delaying major life decisions which affects their overall connectedness.”
Reframing Loneliness: A Stage in Development?
Rather than viewing loneliness solely as a symptom of isolation, this study positions it as a potential byproduct of the transitional phase young adulthood represents. Instead of struggling to find friends, young adults may be learning how to maintain those connections amidst ongoing change.
Their experiences of loneliness might signify not persistent isolation but rather growing pains – the inevitable process of cultivating intimacy, stability, and purpose in a society where adulthood is increasingly fluid and less defined by fixed milestones.
The research encourages a nuanced understanding of social well-being in young adults. It’s not simply about the quantity or quality of friendships; it’s also about navigating transitions and building a sense of secure belonging within an ever-evolving world.
