Blog Post #7

 

Data Gathering and Analysis for Research on Loneliness in Young Adults

Loneliness is a common human experience that can happen to anyone, but it doesn't define who we are. Understanding how loneliness affects us and those around us can help us to better cope with it. It should be remembered that loneliness is often beyond our control, but we have the power to seek support and connect with one another. By converting loneliness from a personal to a social struggle, we can overcome loneliness and build meaningful relationships that enrich our lives.

In this blog post, I will discuss the data gathering and analysis process for my research on loneliness for people in their early 20s (a.k.a young adults). I will also discuss the significance of the data gathering method/process and the implications of our research.

Data Gathering Methods

I used a combination of qualitative and quantitative data gathering methods for my research. For the qualitative data, I conducted in-depth interviews with five young adults who identified as feeling lonely. For the quantitative data, I conducted a Google survey of 50 young adults, also mostly in their early 20s.

The in-depth interviews were designed to gain a deeper understanding of the participants' experiences with loneliness. I asked questions about how they defined loneliness, when they felt the most lonely, and how they coped with loneliness. The Google survey was designed to collect more general data about loneliness, such as how often participants experienced loneliness, how prevalent they thought loneliness was, and whether they actively tried to combat loneliness.

Data Analysis

I analyzed the data from the in-depth interviews and the Google survey using a thematic analysis approach. This involved identifying common themes and patterns in the data. The main themes that emerged from the data were:

• Loneliness is a complex experience. There is no one-size-fits-all definition of loneliness. For some people, loneliness is a “"emotional, mental, or physical absence of peers or self.” For others, it is a “feeling empty on the inside.” And for still others, it is a “When no one understands you.” There are also different reasons for feeling loneliness, such as “living overseas,” having “societal pressure to be independent and self-sufficient,” etc.
• Loneliness is prevalent amongst young adults. The results of our survey indicate that many young adults experience loneliness, with 30% of respondents reporting experiencing loneliness 2-4 out of 5 times. Interestingly, 46% of respondents reported that loneliness is extremely prevalent, rating it as 5 out of 5. We also found that 58% of respondents answered that they somewhat actively try to combat loneliness, indicating a need for more support and resources for those struggling with loneliness.
• People have different coping mechanisms to feeling lonely - oftentimes, it’s not great. Our findings highlight the need for better support and resources for those struggling with loneliness. The implications of our research suggest that interventions, such as interactive installations and anonymous online communities, could provide a safe and supportive space for individuals to share their struggles and connect with others who experience similar issues.

 

Raw Data (transcription from in-depth interview):

Raw Data (from the survey):

 

 

Implications of Research

The findings from our data collection have a number of implications and allow for a more nuanced understanding of how young adults define loneliness and the situations in which they experience it the most. The findings also suggest that loneliness among young adults is not just an individual issue but also a social and cultural one, as it is linked to broader social and cultural expectations and pressures.

Our data collection and analysis will hopefully serve useful for the development of our Interaction Design project.

 

Interview and Observation

https://youtu.be/cd5FrV9pLvI