Everyday solitude, affective experiences, and well-being in old age: the role of culture versus immigration

Jiang, Da; Fung, Helene H.; Lay, Jennifer C.; Ashe, Maureen C.; Graf, Peter; Hoppmann, Christiane A.

doi:10.1080/13607863.2018.1479836

Cited by 23 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…It has been observed that people in Western cultures are more encouraged to be sociable and expressive, whereas people from East Asian cultures are more encouraged to be shy and self-reflective ( Chen, 2010 ; Ding et al, 2015 ; Oyserman et al, 2002 ). Consistent with this observation, past research has suggested that solitude is more valued and experienced more positively in East Asian cultures than in Western cultures ( Jiang et al, 2019 ). Thus, solitude-seeking individuals might be perceived more positively and at less risk for ostracism in East Asian cultures versus Western cultures.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Leaving the Loners Alone: Dispositional Preference for Solitude Evokes Ostracism

Ren

Evans

2020

Pers Soc Psychol Bull

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What are the interpersonal consequences of seeking solitude? Leading theories in developmental research have proposed that having a general preference for solitude may incur significant interpersonal costs, but empirical studies are still lacking. In five studies (total N = 1,823), we tested whether target individuals with a higher preference for solitude were at greater risk for ostracism, a common, yet extremely negative, experience. In studies using self-reported experiences (Study 1) and perceptions of others’ experiences (Study 2), individuals with a stronger preference for solitude were more likely to experience ostracism. Moreover, participants were more willing to ostracize targets with a high (vs. low) preference for solitude (Studies 3 and 4). Why do people ostracize solitude-seeking individuals? Participants assumed that interacting with these individuals would be aversive for themselves and the targets (Study 5; preregistered). Together, these studies suggest that seeking time alone has important (and potentially harmful) interpersonal consequences.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Leaving the Loners Alone: Dispositional Preference for Solitude Evokes Ostracism

Ren

Evans

2020

Pers Soc Psychol Bull

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“…Cultural factors may also shape solitude. Individuals of East Asian heritage may experience solitude more positively, as it is conducive to self‐reflection and low arousal leisure activities, activities that are valued more in East Asian than in Western cultures (Averill & Sundararajan, ; Jiang et al, ; Tsai, ). Although we found no cultural differences in solitude experiences in the current set of analyses, more research is needed to compare solitude experiences across cultures (Jiang et al, ).…”

Section: Limitations and Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Individuals of East Asian heritage may experience solitude more positively, as it is conducive to self‐reflection and low arousal leisure activities, activities that are valued more in East Asian than in Western cultures (Averill & Sundararajan, ; Jiang et al, ; Tsai, ). Although we found no cultural differences in solitude experiences in the current set of analyses, more research is needed to compare solitude experiences across cultures (Jiang et al, ). Finally, our older adult sample comprised mostly retired individuals, and our young adult sample comprised undergraduate students, with recognized limits to generalizability (Henrich, Heine, & Norenzayan, ).…”

Section: Limitations and Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Solitude is a double‐edged sword. On the one hand, studies of affective experiences have shown that, compared to being with others, being alone (and not interacting with others) is associated with increased negative affect and loneliness, and decreased positive affect and energy (Chui, Hoppmann, Gerstorf, Walker, & Luszcz, ; Jiang et al, ; Larson, Csikszentmihalyi, & Graef, ; Larson, Zuzanek, & Mannell, ; Nguyen, Ryan, & Deci, ; Pauly et al, ). On the other hand, studies also suggest people may seek solitude for escape or relaxation, fostering emotional renewal, greater low arousal positive affect, and lower self‐consciousness (Burger, ; Larson, ; Larson et al, ; Long et al, ; Nguyen et al, ; Pauly et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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By myself and liking it? Predictors of distinct types of solitude experiences in daily life

Lay

Pauly

Graf

et al. 2019

Journal of Personality

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100

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“…Solitude facilitates self-reflection and escape from social regulation pressures ( Long & Averill, 2003 ). Jiang et al (2019) discussed that solitude may be preferred in East Asian countries to a greater extent than in North America. Older adults of East Asian heritage experienced more positive and less negative affect when alone than their Caucasian counterparts ( Jiang et al, 2019 ).…”

Section: Cultural Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining the Relationship Between Preference for Solitude and Subjective Well-Being Among Japanese Older Adults

Toyoshima

Kusumi

2021

Innovation in Aging

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Background and Objectives Focusing on the fact that older adults with positive emotions tend to spend time alone, this study aimed to examine the relationship between preference for solitude and subjective well-being among older adults. In Study 1, we developed a revised version of the Preference for Solitude Scale with a three-factor structure, unlike the single-factor structure of the original scale. In Study 2, we examined the relationship between preference for solitude and subjective well-being using the revised scale. Research Design and Methods We conducted an Internet survey with 210 older adults in Study 1 to develop a revised Japanese scale. In Study 2, to address the possible research method bias in Study 1, we conducted a mail survey with 276 older adults. We examined the replicability of Study 1, confirming metric invariance through multi-group analysis and hypothesis model through path analysis. Results The results of the path analysis indicated that “Productivity during solitude” (Factor 3) was positively related with positive affect and life satisfaction, and “Enjoyment of solitude” (Factor 2) was negatively related with negative affect. However, the results of the mediation analysis suggested that preference for solitude was also related to loneliness, and the indirect effect of preference for solitude on well-being was negative. Discussion and Implications “Enjoyment of solitude” and “Productivity during solitude” were related to maintaining subjective well-being among older adults, although the effects were marginal. The impact of preference for solitude was mixed in enhancing and decreasing subjective well-being.

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Everyday solitude, affective experiences, and well-being in old age: the role of culture versus immigration

Cited by 23 publications

References 36 publications

Leaving the Loners Alone: Dispositional Preference for Solitude Evokes Ostracism

Leaving the Loners Alone: Dispositional Preference for Solitude Evokes Ostracism

By myself and liking it? Predictors of distinct types of solitude experiences in daily life

Examining the Relationship Between Preference for Solitude and Subjective Well-Being Among Japanese Older Adults

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