AGE-RELATED DIFFERENCES IN EVERYDAY SOLITUDE SEEKING WHEN TIME WITH OTHERS FEELS LESS DESIRABLE
2024

Age Differences in Seeking Solitude

Sample size: 51 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Choi Yoonseok, Kim Hansol, Hoppmann Christiane

Primary Institution: University of British Columbia

Hypothesis

Younger adults may seek solitude more when social interactions feel obligatory compared to older adults.

Conclusion

The study found that younger adults tend to prefer solitude more when they have fewer voluntary social interactions.

Supporting Evidence

  • Younger adults reported higher preferences for solitude when social interactions were perceived as less voluntary.
  • The study involved 610 daily assessments over 10 days.

Takeaway

This study shows that younger people might want to be alone more when they feel they have to socialize, while older people might not feel the same way.

Methodology

The study used repeated daily life assessments over 10 days to evaluate preferences for solitude in relation to social interactions.

Participant Demographics

51 Koreans aged 22-71 years, 65% female, 98% with some postsecondary education.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p = .001

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.3498

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