I sårbarhet och längtan – Existentiell ensamhet och ledsenhet under ungdomstiden

Abstract in English

The overall aim of this thesis is to explore existential loneliness and sadness during adolescence. The thesis is based on four empirical studies, one of which is a quantitative cross-sectional study based on survey data (n = 1489; age 15–17 years). The other three studies are qualitative studies based on data from individual interviews (n = 16; age 15–21 years), retrospective written narratives (n = 67; university students) and focus group discussions (n = 30; age 16–21 years). The data in the quantitative study were analysed using descriptive and analytical statistics. The data in the qualitative studies were analysed using qualitative conventional content analysis, phenomenological analysis, and thematic analysis, respectively.
The findings show that sadness and existential loneliness during adolescence can be expressed in different ways in the body and imply a vulnerability that may be difficult to reveal to others. Adolescents then risk being left alone with their painful thoughts and feelings. Existential loneliness during adolescence relates to experiences of being unique and not being understood, and feeling trapped, empty and lost in the search for belonging, meaning and the self. Young persons have different needs when it comes to support related to their own experiences of existential loneliness, and the needs may also vary over time. Adolescents may sometimes need a break from what is painful, but they may also want someone who listens or leave them alone. When they themselves try to be there for friends with experiences of existential loneliness, they may feel insecure. Adolescents long to have someone who is there for them who they can turn to when they need it.
Professionals in schools and health care need knowledge about existential loneliness and sadness during adolescence to interpret and understand the expressions of these conditions. They also need to adopt a person-centred approach to offer support tailored to the young persons’ needs. Listening to adolescents’ voices and meeting their existential needs can probably affect their well-being and health in a positive direction.