A phenomenological investigation of feeling alone

The purpose of this investigation was to discover the thematic structure of the experience of feeling alone. An empirical phenomenological approach was utilized in which 20 normal-functioning adults were interviewed regarding their experience of aloneness. The interviews produced descriptions by participants of a wide variety of situations where they had felt alone; these descriptions constituted the data analyzed in this study.

Data analysis involved a series of steps in which descriptions of feeling alone were summarized, condensed and formulated in a manner to elucidate more clearly the meanings of the phenomenon for the participant. Analyzed descriptions of feeling alone were then compared across participants in order to arrive at a final listing of themes representing the various meanings of feeling alone described by participants in this study.

Many ways of feeling alone were found and a thematic category system was developed which involved four themes, each consisting of two subthemes: (1) Missing (Yearning, Emptiness); (2) Barrier (Different, Indifferent); (3) Vulnerability (Unsupported, Exposed); (4) Freedom (To, From). All particular examples of feeling alone given by participants were scored according to this category system. Reliability of the system was assessed in terms of interrater procedures using three independent raters. Feeling alone was found to include not only feeling lonely but also other forms of both painful and pleasurable aloneness. The themes related to different desires and emotions, and tended to appear in different situations. Although distinct, themes also were found to be interrelated and often co-occurred in the same experience of feeling alone.

Findings were discussed in terms of their relevance to previous theory and research in the area of aloneness. Various theoretical perspectives were seen to illuminate only specific aspects of the thematic structure found. Clinical implications of findings were discussed, including some possible relationships between the themes and psychopathology. Applications of results for psychological treatment also were offered.

Suggestions for future research were made including more specific investigation into the relationship of the experience of aloneness to various psychological disorders, life situations and developmental stages, and a more detailed investigation of pleasurable forms of aloneness.