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Blog Post #4_Interview and observation카테고리 없음 2023. 4. 10. 23:27
To understand more deeply about the feeling of “loneliness” in the age of early 20s, we conducted an in-depth interview to four people of different backgrounds.
Purpose of the interview
The purpose of the interview was to gain a deeper understanding of how university students in their early twenties, including foreign students living overseas, experience and cope with loneliness. The interview questions were designed to explore the definition of loneliness, personal experiences with loneliness, contributing factors, coping mechanisms, societal perceptions, and potential solutions or support systems.
Sampling Strategy
The sampling strategy for this study involved selecting university students in their early 20s, including foreign students living overseas, who were willing to participate in an interview on the topic of loneliness. The participants were selected through purposive sampling and were asked to provide informed consent before the interview.
Focus Group
The focus of the interviews was to understand the topic of loneliness amongst people in their early 20s navigating through life. The interview questions were designed to gain insight into how the participants define loneliness, how they experience it, and how they cope with it. The interviews also explored the participants' opinions on the factors that contribute to loneliness, the societal response to loneliness, and the resources and support systems that should be available to individuals struggling with loneliness.
Summary of Main Points
From the analysis of the four in-depth interviews, several main points emerged. The participants generally defined loneliness as a feeling of disconnection from others, characterized by a lack of social interaction and support. Many of the participants reported experiencing loneliness often, particularly when they were in a new environment or when they felt like they did not have anyone to talk to.
The participants also identified several factors that contribute to loneliness, including social isolation, cultural differences, language barriers, and stigma surrounding mental health. They also highlighted the importance of social support and community activities in combating loneliness, as well as the potential negative effects of technology and social media on social connection.
In terms of coping strategies, the participants identified a range of techniques, including spending time with friends and family, engaging in hobbies and activities, and seeking professional support. However, some participants expressed a reluctance to talk about their loneliness with others due to fear of being judged or stigmatized.
Overall Observation
The analysis of the four in-depth interviews highlights the significant impact that loneliness can have on the lives of young adults. The participants in this study reported experiencing loneliness often, particularly when they were in new environments or feeling disconnected from others. Factors such as social isolation, cultural differences, and stigma surrounding mental health were identified as key contributors to loneliness, highlighting the need for increased awareness and support for individuals struggling with these issues.
The study also highlights the importance of social support and community activities in combating loneliness, as well as the potential negative effects of technology and social media on social connection. Further research is needed to explore these issues in more depth and to develop effective interventions and support systems for individuals struggling with loneliness.
Visualizing the Data
We asked ChatGPT to suggest a way to visualize the interview data, to which it replied make a word cloud. To do this, we first asked chatGPT to provide some keywords based on the interview conducted, then plugged it into an online word cloud generator. The results are shown below.
For reference, here is the summary of the four interviews conducted. This was also made with the help of chatGPT:
In the first interview, the participant defined loneliness as a feeling of isolation and disconnection from others. They explained that they experience loneliness occasionally, particularly when they are homesick or during holidays when they are away from family and friends. They believed that many people in society experience loneliness, especially those who are introverted or have difficulty making friends. The participant cited social media as a contributing factor to loneliness and suggested that the government could provide more mental health resources to help individuals combat loneliness.
In the second interview, the participant defined loneliness as a feeling of emptiness and lack of connection with others. They reported experiencing loneliness frequently, particularly when they are alone or feeling overwhelmed with schoolwork. They suggested that many people in society experience loneliness, including those who are in transitional periods of life, such as early twenties. The participant believed that societal pressure to be independent and self-sufficient can contribute to feelings of loneliness. They cope with loneliness by distracting themselves with hobbies and connecting with friends virtually. They believed that society as a whole is not good at coping with loneliness and suggested that more mental health resources and support groups should be available.
In the third interview, the participant defined loneliness as a feeling of being disconnected and not having anyone to turn to. They reported experiencing loneliness occasionally, particularly when they are homesick or during the pandemic when they cannot meet up with friends. They believed that many people in society experience loneliness, including those who are introverted or have difficulty making friends. The participant suggested that social media can both help and hinder the ability to connect with others and relieve loneliness, depending on how it is used. They suggested that more community-based activities and mental health resources should be available to help individuals combat loneliness.
In the fourth interview, the participant defined loneliness as a feeling of isolation and not having anyone to talk to or spend time with. They reported experiencing loneliness frequently, particularly when they are away from family and friends. They believed that many people in society experience loneliness, including those who are in transitional periods of life, such as early twenties. The participant suggested that societal expectations to be independent and self-sufficient can contribute to feelings of loneliness. They cope with loneliness by talking to friends and family virtually, engaging in hobbies, and exercising. They believed that more mental health resources and support groups should be available to help individuals combat loneliness.
Overall, the interviews revealed that loneliness is a common experience among university students in their early twenties, including foreign students living overseas. Contributing factors to loneliness include societal pressures to be independent and self-sufficient, transitional periods of life, and social media use. Coping mechanisms include distracting oneself with hobbies, connecting with friends virtually, and engaging in community-based activities. The participants suggested that more mental health resources and support groups should be available to help individuals combat loneliness, and societal perceptions of loneliness should be changed to encourage more open and honest conversations about the topic.