Loneliness: Adolescents’ Perspectives on What Causes it, and Ways Youth Services Can Prevent it

Loneliness particularly affects adolescents and is linked to long-term health and social difficulties. Existing literature lacks clarity on young people’s perspectives around how loneliness develops and can be prevented. We examined young people’s views on ways youth services can prevent loneliness, and how this can be further informed by their perspectives of its causes. We spoke to fourteen adolescents living in England, with a diverse range of abilities and ethnicities, aged 10-18. Adolescents were identified by youth group leaders of a youth group they regularly attend to take part in interviews and focus groups. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted. Causes of loneliness included personal experiences, inappropriate interpersonal skills, and society. Ways youth groups can prevent loneliness include promoting self-development, emotion regulation, and interpersonal skills. Our research illustrates young people’s perspectives, and we make practical recommendations which we hope services will implement to reduce the risk of loneliness in young people.