Definitions of loneliness: What can lay reports tell us about the homogeneity of the experience of loneliness?

A consensus definition of loneliness is elusive, partly because it is not yet clear whether loneliness is experienced in a homogenous fashion. This question could be probed by asking individuals to define their understanding of loneliness. Using a meta-synthesis analytic approach on data from four studies which elicited such definitions from distinct populations, we report cross-study consensus on three characteristics of loneliness: its negative emotional valence; its standing as a consequence of 1) absence of genuine social connection, and of 2) lack of receipt of adequate social support. Other characteristics of loneliness are described for which there was not cross-study consensus. We conclude that there may be characteristics of loneliness which apply across multiple contexts, although we acknowledge the limited reach of our data. We discuss our findings in the context of existing definitions of loneliness.