Abstract

This study developed a representative words tool for solitude and loneliness and examined the perception of the two emotions dimensionally. A word classification task was performed on adults in their 20s to 60s, and the dimensions inherent in words were discovered based on the results. The dimension of solitude was 2-dimensional at all ages, and the dimension of loneliness was 2-dimensional at all ages except those in their 60s. In the case of solitude, those in their 20s are ‘relaxation (freedom)-withdrawal(lack of confidence)/inward orientation(anxiety)-external orientation(dissatisfaction)’, and those in their 30s are ‘relaxation(exploration)-withdrawal(avoidance)/internal orientation(deficiency)-External orientation(depression)’, for those in their 40s, ‘relaxation(transition)-withdrawal(fear)/internal orientation(helplessness)-external orientation(confusion)’, for those in their 50s, ‘relaxation(self-discovery)-withdrawal(vulnerability)/internal orientation(Helplessness)-external orientation(struggle and perseverance)’, those in their 60s were named ‘leisure(reflection)-shrinkage(loss)/internal orientation(anxiety)-external orientation(anxiety)’. In the case of loneliness, those in their 20s are ‘conflict-emptiness/helplessness-exhaustion’, those in their 30s are ‘helplessness-emptiness/ anxiety-depression’, those in their 40s are ‘helplessness-emptiness/alienation-withdrawal’, and those in their 50s are ‘dedication-patience/fear of isolation-anxiety about the future’, and those in their 60s named it ‘skepticism(due to the futility of the hardships of time)-the joys and sorrow(balance in chaos)’. This study explored individual internal and external states of solitude and loneliness through a multiple approaches in terms of emotion, cognition, and behavior. This will be used to promote a deep understanding of emotions and to develop data necessary to stabilize life and promote mental health.