The relationship between feelings of loneliness and life satisfaction has long attracted interest in both scientific psychology and practical work. Previously, in the article “Loneliness and Quality of Life,” I addressed this topic, focusing primarily on its theoretical aspects. Over the past year, I conducted an empirical study, the results of which formed the basis of my final qualification thesis and were successfully defended. I now intend to continue exploring this topic in greater depth. This text briefly presents the key findings of the conducted research.
The relevance of studying the relationship between loneliness and life satisfaction lies in the fact that both phenomena play a crucial role in an individual’s psychological well-being. In addition, as a practicing psychologist, it was particularly important for me not only to establish the existence of this relationship but also to assess the potential application of the findings in counseling practice.
For an accurate analysis, it is necessary to clarify the key concepts. According to S. G. Korchagina, loneliness is a psycho-emotional state that reflects the subjective experience of isolation and the inability or unwillingness to feel acceptance and responsiveness from others. Life satisfaction, in the interpretation of V. S. Merenkova and other authors, is understood as a subjective sense of well-being and harmony with oneself and the surrounding world.
Despite the apparent clarity of these concepts, they have been interpreted differently across various scientific schools and historical periods. In ancient philosophy, loneliness was viewed as a negative state; in the Middle Ages, it was associated with spiritual immaturity; and in the twentieth century, it was often interpreted as a tragic experience. In contemporary Russian psychology, it is common to differentiate between the concepts of “loneliness,” “isolation,” and “solitude,” the latter not carrying a pathological connotation and potentially representing a conscious choice by the individual. Moreover, there is psychotherapeutic potential in transforming loneliness into productive solitude.
Life satisfaction, despite its subjective nature, can be empirically measured. In this study, validated psychodiagnostic instruments were used: the Subjective Well-Being Scale (adapted by N. P. Fetiskin, V. V. Kozlov, and G. M. Manuylov) and the diagnostic questionnaire “Level of Loneliness” (S. G. Korchagina). The study involved 25 participants aged between 18 and 56.
The obtained data made it possible to establish a moderate correlation between the level of life satisfaction and the experience of loneliness. According to the survey results, 36% of participants demonstrated a low level of subjective well-being, while 64% assessed their state as generally positive. Of the total number of respondents, 52% did not experience pronounced loneliness, whereas 48% reported loneliness to varying degrees, including significant emotional discomfort.
Particular attention should be paid to the distribution of indicators across different groups. Among respondents with a high level of subjective well-being, only 37.5% reported feelings of loneliness, whereas in the group with low life satisfaction this figure reached 66.7%. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed a moderately expressed inverse relationship (r = -0.44), confirming that higher life satisfaction is associated with lower subjective feelings of loneliness.
At the same time, it is important to note that this relationship is not absolute. A sense of well-being may persist even in the presence of loneliness if compensatory factors are present in a person’s life, such as meaningful professional activity, hobbies, relationships with pets, and so on. Conversely, the absence of loneliness does not guarantee a high level of life satisfaction if other negative circumstances are present.
Thus, the findings confirm the existence of a relationship between the experience of loneliness and life satisfaction. These results open prospects for further research and for the development of psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at strengthening clients’ subjective well-being.