The language we use around this epidemic and its implications for those affected (i.e. “being lonely” vs. “being alone”):

“Last year, the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General (2023) declared loneliness a public health crisis… historically it has been associated mostly with older adults. However, in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic, for the first time, younger people are lonelier and, concurrently, experiencing more mental health issues” (Bland, 2024).

In this article, researchers focus on the /r/Lonely subreddit, analyzing posts based on language features for people who post their thoughts on loneliness (Andy, 2021). The article then compares these posts to ones by the same users in two other subreddits: /r/AskReddit (for advice-seeking) and /r/depression, which are focused on mental health discussions (Andy, 2021). This comparison draws a connection between mental health issues and language features on Reddit to express the communication of lonely individuals.

• Users frequently discussed challenges related to socializing, particularly in educational settings, by using first-person singular pronouns, indicating a focus on personal experiences (Andy, 2021).
• Users who feel lonely want to be approached with a sense of personal connection where they can feel comfortable sharing their own experiences (Andy, 2021).
• These same users also posed questions about relationships and engaged in topics related to leisure activities, such as movies and songs (Andy, 2021).
• When Epilone has discussions about loneliness it is important to make the individual we interact with feel seen.
  • Ask questions about the individual’s own life touching on topics they feel connected to.
  • Ask questions on topics such as relationships, and leisure activities as people feel more connected to that area of their life.
• Users’ posts indicate their thought process and ability to communicate for help when they feel lonely
  • Users were more likely to evoke themes of self-harm, sleep schedule disturbance, and broader mental health concerns which exhibited anger, negation, and references to death (Andy, 2021).
  • Studied how users who express the feeling of loneliness in an online loneliness forum communicate in a non-loneliness forum; it was found that in the non-loneliness forum, these users tend to use more words associated with sadness, post more on topics related to relationships, family and friends and mental health when compared to a control group of users (Andy, 2021).
  • The posts of users who felt lonely often revolved around themes of affection in relationships, which shows that they seek affection in their own relationships (Andy, 2021).
• In psychology, this phenomenon is called projection. When someone is fixated on something innately, they focus on that thought alot and it comes up in daily conversation.
• Understanding these nuanced communication patterns is crucial for developing effective online interventions.

• Some interventions include targeted treatment (one on one directed communication) which makes the users feel seen and treated with focus. This treatment mimics personal therapy, but is more casual and less centralized to allow the user to feel comfortable (Andy, 2021).
• Most importantly we must focus on educating the general public on language awareness. These days, language around sensitive topics is publicized such as providing trigger warnings, so we should do the same for individuals who feel lonely. When talking to someone who may be suffering from loneliness, using positive words instead of negative words to describe their situation can bring a soft tone to their feelings and create a space of safety. With the right communication, individuals will feel loved and more comfortable to express their feelings.
• Using more questions than statements can also make the individual understand that they want to be explored and known.
• A community design approach that gathers all users that feel lonely together to portray that they all share the same situations
  • These people will feel like they are one of a million and have like minded individuals around them
• Anietie Andy’s research sheds light on the diverse ways individuals communicate their experiences of loneliness across different online forums, specifically Reddit. By understanding these communication patterns, we can better tailor online spaces and interventions to support those seeking connection and assistance, ultimately fostering more compassionate and effective digital communities.

References:

Wang, Y., & Zeng, Y. (2024). Relationship between loneliness and internet addiction: a meta-analysis. BMC public health, 24(1), 858. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18366-4

Andy A. (2021). Understanding user communication around loneliness on online forums. PloS one, 16(9), e0257791. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257791