This blog post was written by Sophie Jones-Tinsley, Positive Digital Practices Project Officer from the University of Bradford. A personal storyAs a person who lives with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), I am constantly fighting the symptoms of feeling intense anxiety. One symptom that can cause isolation is that of needing a routine and not liking change. When social plans are altered, I find it very hard to deal with and as a result I decide not to go. At 26, I can better deal with these emotions however at 18, when I first started University, it meant that many people branded me as anti-social, unreliable, and sometimes rude. Alongside this I was a commuter student, so I didn’t live on campus, and this added to the social exclusion I experienced from my peers. Due to all this I often felt lonely and that I didn’t belong, so I focused on my studies and missed out on the “typical” University experience. It wasn’t until I found a couple of people like me who I bonded with (and am still friends with to this day) that I started to enjoy University life. However, I will always look back and regret not joining a support group or peer community to talk and share my experience, in the chance that someone else was feeling the same and could help. Loneliness in young adultsLoneliness is a topic that not many people discuss, especially when it comes to loneliness amongst teenagers and young adults (the 16-24 bracket). Due to their age, it is deemed unlikely that those who are just starting out on their life journey, where being social and interacting with others is at its peak, would experience feeling lonely or isolated. However, this is far from the reality and students’ experiences of feeling lonely worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, the Office for Students (OfS) conducted a survey around how Coronavirus had impacted students’ education across the UK. Startlingly, 26% of students reported feeling lonely often or always, compared with 8% of the adult population in Great Britain over a similar period[1]. Similarly, a study conducted in the same year by British Red Cross found the same result, with 26% of people aged 16-24 years old feeling lonely always or often[2]. The impact of loneliness on an individual’s mental wellbeing can be very damaging and research has shown that it can be associated with social isolation, poor social skills, introversion, and in some cases, depression[3]. Not only this, in the context of Higher Education, it can have an impact on an individual’s self-perception and self-worth, which can directly impact their ability to concentrate and focus on their studies and education[4]. How can this be tackled?At the University of Bradford, we are taking part in a project led by The Open University and funded by the OfS, which focuses on Positive Digital Practices. Our strand of the project is called ‘Positive Digital Communities’, which can be defined as online spaces where individuals can interact through sharing of information, shared interests, ideas, or beliefs[5]. Research has shown a direct link to combating and aiding loneliness through digital communities and the importance of utilising technology as a way of connecting with peers[6][7][8]. Below are a few examples of how digital communities can have a positive impact on students’ mental wellbeing and a subsequent impact on reducing their feelings of loneliness:
Digital communities of any kind can therefore be very rewarding, and I encourage you to reach out and share your experiences with others, because we’re more alike than people realise, and we can also help each other more than we realise. Sophie Jones-Tinsley works as a Project Officer at the University of Bradford on the Positive Digital Communities project. If you would like to find out more about the project and the work we are doing, please email: [email protected] References
[1] Coronavirus and higher education students - Office for National Statistics [2] Lonely-and-left-behind.pdf [3] Cacioppo JT, Cacioppo S. The growing problem of loneliness. Lancet. 2018;391(10119):426. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30142-9 [4] Brakespear, G. & Cachia, M., (2021) “Young adults dealing with loneliness at university”, New Vistas 7(1), p.31-36. doi: https://doi.org/10.36828/newvistas.23 [5] I. G. Publisher, “IGI Global,” [Online]. Available: https://www.igi-global.com/dictionary/creating-analytical-lens-understanding-digital/7583. [6] El Morr, C., Maule, C., Ashfaq, I., Ritvo, P., and Ahmed, F., (2020) “Design of a Mindfulness Virtual Community: A focus-group analysis”, Health Informatics Journal 2020, Vol. 26(3) 1560–1576 [7] Pimmer, C., Abiodun, R., Daniels, F., and Chipps, J., (2019) “I felt a sense of belonging somewhere”. Supporting graduates' job transitions with WhatsApp groups”, Nurse Education Today, Vol. 81 [8] Brakespear, G. & Cachia, M., (2021) “Young adults dealing with loneliness at university”, New Vistas 7(1), p.31-36. doi: https://doi.org/10.36828/newvistas.23
21 Comments
7/12/2022 05:22:28 am
Thanks for your information of . i am read your article i am very impressive.
Reply
23/12/2022 05:06:27 am
I highly appreciate contents like this since it gives me more knowledge in dealing with stress and protect my mental health. Thank you for this!
Reply
3/1/2023 03:56:24 am
What a wonderful post, you have put quite a lot of effort into this one, I can tell. Love everything about this, great post. Hope to see more such posts from you soon.
Reply
Faraz
20/1/2023 09:20:27 am
Great personal story highlighting the impact of loneliness on young adults and the importance of addressing it during Mental Health Awareness Week. It is a powerful reminder that we are not alone in our struggles and that seeking support is crucial.. You can check this blog post Mental health awareness quizzes to learn more and spread awareness.
Reply
6/2/2023 07:53:16 am
Excellent article! Thank you for your excellent post, and I look forward to the next one. If you're seeking for discount codes and offers, go to couponplusdeals.com.
Reply
6/2/2023 11:08:28 pm
Thank you so much for sharing this article with us. Every one could relate from your situation and we are very proud that you chose to share such ways in order to prevent or fight such experience.
Reply
9/2/2023 10:13:41 am
Loneliness in young adults is a bleak reality, a weight that bears down with no end in sight. It creeps in like a thief, stealing the light from their eyes, the joy from their hearts. They wander the streets, lost in thought, seeking solace in the familiar yet feeling more isolated than ever. The emptiness eats at their soul, a constant ache that cannot be soothed. But still they push on, searching for meaning, for connection, for anything to ease the pain. For the young adults, loneliness is a harsh companion, one that is never far from their side. It is a battle, a fight for survival, a journey through a desolate wasteland. But somehow, they keep moving forward, hoping to find a ray of light, a sliver of hope, in this dark and lonely world.
Reply
Harley
20/2/2023 11:10:15 pm
Really filled with insight, perfect for all ages! Appreciate your effort. I want to share a company that helped me sort out my community duties and build my club. "Community Club Victoria". https://www.ccv.net.au They understand club needs and provide support and advice to club networks. Once again, thank you.
Reply
18/5/2023 05:32:16 am
Great content and I really love the way you share it with us. Readers could learn from your contents.
Reply
24/5/2023 05:39:19 am
This is lovely. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!
Reply
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog post. Your writing style is engaging, and you presented the information in a clear and concise manner. <a href="https://www.ai-tools.software/" target="_blank">click here</a> to learn more about the topic. Looking forward to your future posts!
Reply
29/5/2023 12:00:41 pm
Your post is a treasure trove of valuable information. I appreciate the thoroughness of your research. To delve deeper into this subject,
Reply
25/6/2023 11:17:54 am
Why do only so much written on this subject? Here you see more.
Reply
22/7/2023 06:48:45 pm
Thank you for this insightful health blog post! Your tips on maintaining a balanced diet and incorporating regular exercise into our daily routines are so important for overall well-being. I've already started making small changes in my lifestyle, and I'm already feeling more energetic and healthier. Looking forward to reading more from you!
Reply
22/7/2023 06:55:08 pm
This health blog is a goldmine of information! I particularly loved the article about the benefits of mindfulness and meditation. I've struggled with stress and anxiety for a while, and your post inspired me to start a mindfulness practice. The breathing exercises you shared are really helpful. Can't wait to explore more topics on your blog!
Reply
22/7/2023 06:57:55 pm
Wow, your health blog is a treasure trove of healthy recipes! I tried the smoothie recipe you posted, and it was absolutely delicious. It's fantastic to see that healthy eating can be so enjoyable. I'll definitely be trying out more recipes from your blog. Thanks for promoting a balanced and nutritious lifestyle!
Reply
24/8/2023 10:59:45 pm
This internet site is breathing in, very great pattern and perfect content.
Reply
7/12/2023 03:11:22 pm
Exceptional website design for therapists! The layout is both intuitive and soothing, creating a welcoming online space. It truly enhances the professional image for therapists and ensures a positive user experience.
Reply
15/12/2023 03:23:15 pm
Growing up, I never felt alone because I was always with my younger sister, lived between my parents' homes, and had a small circle of friends at school. Despite this, I still felt lonely. At the ages of 13 and 14, I found it difficult to comprehend and deal with this. I believed that since I was surrounded by so many people, I couldn't possibly feel lonely, and what young person does? I had the impression that nobody paid attention to me or understood me. As a result, I started to isolate myself from social situations with friends and family. Rather than participating in chats with my friends over lunch, I would sit and listen to music.
Reply
20/12/2023 08:39:40 am
This post is very easy to read and understand without leaving any details out. Great work! Thanks for sharing this valuable and helpful article.
Reply
27/2/2024 05:34:45 am
Keep up the good work; I read few posts on this website, including I consider that your blog is fascinating and has sets of the fantastic piece of information. Thanks for your valuable efforts.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorsBlogs from across the Positive Digital Practices project team Archives
April 2023
Categories |