Isolated in my resentment: Outcomes of existential isolation and incel traits

Espinosa, Matthew Alan

Item

Isolated in my resentment: Outcomes of existential isolation and incel traits

Espinosa, Matthew Alan

Date

2025-04-22

Abstract

Recent work has begun to examine the traits that define an “incel” (i.e., involuntary celibate) and the risk to well-being posed by these traits. However, the social determinants of incel traits, and ways address these determinants, remain an open question. The current work examined the association between existential isolation (EI), or the perception that one is alone in their experiences and worldview, and incel traits, as well as the implications of this association for unpartnered men’s well-being. First, the association of each chronic (Study 1 and Study 2) and acute (Study 3) experiences of EI with incel traits, and self-perceptions (Study 1), meta-dehumanizing perceptions, and misogynistic perceptions (Study 2) were examined. Next, corrective information targeting erroneous meta-dehumanizing perceptions (Study 4), and feedback eliciting shared reality (Study 5), were each examined as potential interventions. Results provide consistent evidence to suggest that unpartnered men who feel more EI express more incel traits, and consequently report more negative views of themselves and beliefs about how they are viewed by women; though, shared reality feedback may be effective for attenuating these outcomes. These results suggest that EI may be a key social determinant of incel traits, and highlight addressing these feelings as an important step towards improving the well-being of men who possess incel traits.