Cognitive and behavioral manifestations of loneliness: a dyadic interactional analysis

Abstract

The interrelationship between cognitive and behavioral manifestations of loneliness was investigated using a paradigm involving mixed-sex dyadic interactions varying in the intimacy level of the discussion topic. Perceptions of both the self and partner, obtained via self-report questionnaires, and verbal and nonverbal behaviors coded from video-recordings of the interactions were grouped into three general categories and analyzed at both the individual and dyad levels using multivariate analysis of variance. Results indicated significant differences in the perceptions of lonely and non-lonely individuals, but failed to reveal corresponding behavioral (social skill) deficits with respect to the verbal and nonverbal behaviors exhibited by lonely and non-lonely participants. These later findings are in direct contrast to previous research that has indicated marked social skill deficits in the verbal behavior of lonely individuals. The results of the present investigation suggest that the experience of loneliness involves the disruption of perceptual and/or cognitive processes but does not necessarily entail corresponding behavioral or social skill deficits. Implications of these findings with respect to treatment issues are discussed along with the necessity of differentiating between quantitative vs. qualitative measures of social skill when investigating disruptions in the social functioning of lonely individuals.