Solitude can be good—If you see it as such: Reappraisal helps lonely people experience solitude more positively

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveSolitude is a common experience that can elicit both positive (e.g., relaxation) and negative (e.g., loneliness) emotions. But can changing the way we think about solitude improve its emotional effects? In a previous study, our team found that positively reframing solitude buffers against a reduction in positive affect when alone. Yet, it is unknown whether people who are lonely—and thus more likely to experience solitude negatively—benefit from modifying their beliefs about being alone.MethodHere, we test whether reframing solitude as a beneficial experience or de‐stigmatizing loneliness helps people experiencing moderate‐to‐severe loneliness (N = 224) feel more positive emotion and less negative emotion during solitude. We randomly assigned participants to read about either the benefits of solitude, the high prevalence of loneliness, or a control topic. Then, participants spent 10 min alone in the laboratory. State affect was assessed before and after the solitude period.ResultsAcross conditions, the solitude period reduced high‐arousal positive (e.g., excited) and high‐arousal negative (e.g., anxious) affect. Notably, people who read about the benefits of solitude experienced a significantly larger increase in low‐arousal positive affect compared with the control condition.ConclusionOur findings indicate that lonely individuals can more readily reap the emotional benefits of solitude when they reframe solitude as an experience that can enhance their well‐being.