New to college? Spend time alone

The transition from high school to college can be stressful. Trying to integrate, make new friends, find the elders and come home, meet the expectations of their teachers and their own expectations – can all be daunting.

The manner in which freshmen manage (or not) this change has long-term consequences for their academic performance and ability to continue their education. Research has shown that social isolation is a common trap during this transition period from high school to college. Loneliness, of course, can have a serious detrimental effect on students' mental health and can lead to depression.

But being alone is not necessarily bad, says a team of researchers from the University of Rochester, Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and the University of Ghent in Belgium. . They published their findings on the importance of me-time in the journal Motivation and emotion.

"Addressing loneliness for one's pleasure and intrinsic values ​​is related to psychological health, especially for those who do not feel part of their social groups," said lead author Thuy Nguyen, who obtained his doctorate in psychology. from the University of Rochester in 2018 and who did much of the research for this study in Rochester.

"These results underscore the importance of cultivating the ability to enjoy lonely time as a meaningful experience, rather than trying to neglect it or escape it," said Nguyen, who will join the Department of Psychology, University of Durham, England. , this fall as an badistant professor.

Solitude versus time alone

What then distinguishes the loneliness of potentially detrimental loneliness? The key is positive motivation, according to the researchers. A healthy, self-directed search of time alone is badociated with greater self-esteem, a greater sense of relationship with others, and a less lonely feeling of loneliness. Conversely, a person who wishes to be alone because of negative social experiences will be more likely to suffer the negative effects of loneliness, such as isolation or social withdrawal. The study concludes that the reasons matter, as they determine our experience of loneliness and the benefits we can derive from it.

Nguyen draws on decades of research led by his seasoned mentors from Rochester, Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, co-founders of Theory of Self-Determination (SDT). The researchers note that the theoretical framework of TSD fits in perfectly with the survey on how the motivations of individuals who wish to spend time in school contribute to well-being. By definition, the autonomous motivation of being alone means a person 's decision to spend time in solitude in a way that is invaluable and enjoyable for the person.

Previous research had shown that spending too much time socializing during the first year of college – and therefore having little time for oneself – could be badociated with poor adjustment.

However, in two studies of 147 first-year students in the United States (self-esteem tests) and 223 in Canada (loneliness and proximity tests), the team was able to unravel the interaction new students. social life and their motivation to spend time alone as a predictor of their successful adaptation to university life.

Nguyen said that the interaction between lonely weather and our social experiences had not yet been studied empirically, at least not in this way.

"In previous research, it has been explained that people who have greater access to social ties tend to live better in solitude, but in our study, a healthy motivation for loneliness is actually badociated with the well-being of people. to be of those who have less access to social relations, "says Nguyen.

The conclusions in a few words:

• First year students who enjoyed and enjoyed spending time alone seemed to have better psychological health
• Solitary time can be useful to detach oneself from the pressures of society and to return to one's own values ​​and interests, which allows for a better regulation of behavior (with a greater sense of autonomy, choice and diversity). auto-correlation).
• The badociation between freely chosen motivation for loneliness and psychological health is stronger for those who do not feel to belong to the university
• The results were obtained from two independent samples of freshmen, one at a private university in the United States and the other at a public university in Canada.
• Parents play a role in their children's ability to be alone by giving them time to play independently.
• The study provides empirical evidence of the theory formulated by the English pediatrician and psychobadyst Donald Woods Winnicott in the 1950s.

What would the researchers like to know as a freshman?

"I would have liked to know less worry," Nguyen says. The transition to college can be difficult with the pressure of socializing and making new friends, she notes. However, it is important to consider that time alone is also valuable.

"Sometimes we want to have time for ourselves, to relax, so it's good to take time for that too," said Nguyen.

"Being alone does not make you a loner, which is a very easy stereotype to badimilate when you first enter the university – especially when you think that everyone is socializing when you do not. loneliness is a personal experience Take the time to do it if you wish and simply explore different ways to make it a rewarding and enjoyable experience. "