A Study of Preference for Solitude and its Correlates among Young Adults and Middle-Aged Adults

Abstract

In contemporary society, solitude is crucial for mental renewal, stimulating creativity, and deepening self-awareness. It offers a break from constant connectivity, allowing individuals to recharge and gain clarity away from digital distractions. Solitude fosters creativity by providing a conducive environment for idea generation, while also encouraging personal growth through introspection and self-exploration. Thus, the current study seeks to examine age and gender related differences in preferences for solitude, positive solitude, loneliness, subjective well- being and personality traits (openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism). Using purposive sampling, 120 participants (30 middle-aged females, 30 middle-aged males, 30 young adult females, and 30 young adult males) were surveyed. Preference for Solitude Scale, Positive Solitude Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale, Positive And Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS-SF), Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) and Big Five Inventory (BFI) were administered. To explore age-related and gender differences within the sample, t-ratios were computed, revealing notable findings. Age-related differences emerged in life satisfaction and certain personality traits, namely openness and conscientiousness. Additionally, significant gender differences were observed in positive solitude (quietness) and personality (neuroticism). Subsequently, Pearson’s Product Moment correlation was employed to assess correlations between the variables, revealing several significant correlations across all domains. Finally, a 2*2-way ANOVA was conducted to analyze the main effects and interaction effects of age and gender. Main effects of age were evident in life satisfaction and personality traits (openness and conscientiousness), while gender showed main effects in positive solitude (quietness) and personality (neuroticism). However, no significant interaction effects were detected. These findings deepen our understanding of how age and gender intersect with psychological factors, informing future research and interventions to promote well-being throughout life.