In an era where young adults are often painted as socially isolated or disconnected, new research offers a compelling counter-narrative that challenges these widespread assumptions. The study, published in the journal PLOS One, dives deep into the paradox of loneliness amid an active social environment, revealing that feelings of disconnection can exist alongside rich and vibrant social lives, especially during the tumultuous period of emerging adulthood.
Jeffrey A. Hall, a professor and chair of the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Kansas, co-authored the research alongside Natalie Pennington from Colorado State University and Amanda J. Holmstrom from Michigan State University. Their work surveyed approximately 5,000 Americans from various age groups, focusing on their social interactions and recent life transitions such as moving homes, changing jobs, beginning new romantic relationships, or completing educational milestones.
This research introduces a nuanced perspective on social well-being by emphasizing not just the quantity or quality of friendships but how individuals manage the instability that frequently characterizes modern young adult life. Despite boasting supportive friendships and robust social networks, many young participants still reported pervasive feelings of loneliness, pointing to a more complex interplay between social connection and emotional well-being.
Central to the study’s findings is the concept of “ontological security” — defined as a sense of predictability and stability that anchors one’s feelings of belonging and psychological wellness. In contrast to older adults who tend to lead more stable lives with fewer social contacts, young adults navigate an often unpredictable social landscape that can erode the emotional benefits typically associated with social interaction.
Hall explains that in a predictable social environment, individuals feel more secure and purposeful in their relationships. However, young adults today face a unique set of challenges marked by delayed major life decisions — such as buying homes, marriage, or parenthood — which have historically provided the scaffolding for social stability. This delay contributes to a fragile social existence where loneliness and connectedness coincide.
The research sheds light on the psychological implications of prolonged transitions and instability during emerging adulthood. Young people, particularly college-educated women, experience what the authors term “social ambivalence,” where active engagement in social settings doesn’t necessarily preclude feelings of loneliness. Instead, these feelings might reflect the growing pains associated with building deep intimacy and a sense of purpose in life.
Far from being a sign of social failure, the moments of loneliness experienced by many young adults may instead represent a critical developmental phase marked by efforts to balance connection and independence amidst change. The findings suggest that social ambivalence in this stage is less about lack of opportunities for social interaction and more about the emotional complexity inherent in navigating life’s transitions.
Beyond illustrating the paradox of being simultaneously lonely and connected, the study also underscores the importance of stability and predictability in cultivating strong social well-being. Older adults, although having smaller social networks, typically report higher social satisfaction due to the endurance and reliability of their relationships — conditions often absent in younger age groups facing ongoing life shifts.
In this context, the research challenges popular media portrayals of young adults as emotionally detached or deficient in social skills. Hall and colleagues argue that young people actively invest effort into maintaining relationships and social connections despite unpredictable life circumstances, highlighting resilience rather than withdrawal.
This study further interrogates the societal and cultural norms affecting the transition into established adulthood. Since the late 20th century, societal shifts have gradually redefined adulthood milestones, extending the period of instability and social flux that young people must navigate. Consequently, emerging adulthood is characterized by prolonged uncertainty, which complicates traditional pathways to securing stable social ties.
Technically, the research employs robust survey methodologies capturing large and diverse samples to quantify both social satisfaction and loneliness across age cohorts. This empirical approach allows the authors to parse out the effects of life transitions on social well-being, yielding insights into the underexplored emotional landscape of young adult sociality.
Ultimately, this groundbreaking work paints a hopeful picture of young adulthood as a dynamic phase of growth and adaptation rather than one dominated by social isolation. It emphasizes that loneliness among young adults may not signal a societal crisis but a common, albeit challenging, stage in forging lasting intimacy and social purpose in a world marked by rapid change and extended life trajectories.
In summary, this study significantly advances our understanding of social relationships in emerging adulthood by demonstrating that loneliness and social engagement are not mutually exclusive but intertwined experiences shaped by the broader socio-cultural and developmental context. It urges a reconsideration of how society perceives and supports young adults in their pursuit of ontological security amid life’s many transitions.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: Lonely and Connected in Emerging Adulthood: The Ambivalence of Sociality in a Time of Transitions
News Publication Date: 12-Nov-2025
Keywords: Interpersonal relationships, Social relationships
