Date of Award

1978

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Abstract

This thesis explores loneliness as a multifaceted psychological and social phenomenon, examining its origins, manifestations, and potential avenues for treatment. Beginning with a historical overview, the work situates loneliness within cultural and theoretical contexts, noting how the experience has been interpreted through philosophy, literature, and psychology. Drawing heavily on psychoanalytic theory, the thesis considers the role of early childhood attachment, separation, and loss as central contributors to the development of loneliness. The impact of maternal deprivation, insecure attachment patterns, and unresolved separation anxiety are analyzed as formative influences that shape one’s vulnerability to chronic isolation.

The study also examines the behavioral and emotional manifestations of loneliness across the lifespan, from childhood through adulthood. It highlights how loneliness is often intertwined with feelings of emptiness, depression, and low self-worth, while also exacerbating difficulties in forming and sustaining close relationships. In considering therapeutic responses, the thesis reviews psychoanalytic and psychodynamic approaches, as well as group therapy and community-based interventions, as methods for addressing both the intrapsychic and interpersonal dimensions of loneliness.

By integrating theoretical perspectives with clinical insight, the thesis underscores the importance of understanding loneliness not merely as a transient emotional state but as a profound condition with developmental, relational, and existential dimensions. The work suggests that effective treatment must address underlying attachment wounds, encourage the development of healthier interpersonal connections, and provide supportive therapeutic environments where feelings of isolation can be acknowledged and transformed. Ultimately, the thesis contributes to a deeper comprehension of loneliness as a pervasive human experience and outlines ways in which psychological practice can foster greater resilience and relational fulfillment.

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