Answer:
So, what causes loneliness? In medical and psychological literature, there are three causes of loneliness in all age groups.
First is the loss of a loved one or someone to which one has a strong attachment – a death, or breakup in a relationship, loss of a job, leaving a community such as high school, college, a job or the military.
Another cause is the feeling of being excluded from others, such as peers, family or a community. This carries with it feelings of low self-esteem, devaluation or a sense of absence of acceptance.
And the third is super important. Loneliness does not necessarily mean being alone. It’s the feeling of aloneness even in the presence of others. Loneliness is a perceived, individual experience. There’s a sense of detachment, alienation, and isolation.
Teens and young adults may be more vulnerable because of typical developmental – they are in the process of forming a sense of identity, and seeking who they are and where they belong in the world. This is usually a stressful and confusing period in life, often filled with drama and loss or changes in relationships.
Young people also haven’t developed the coping skills of adults to deal with challenging situations like tolerating the feelings of isolation. Their brains haven’t developed fully enough to dampen the power of their emotions – they can’t yet use their higher, rational abilities, to regulate their feeling, reactions, and impulses. These processes may make FOMO more intense.
On the other hand, the BBC found that among lonely teens, empathy actually increased. So, for all the challenges it presents, the experience of loneliness may foster a greater ability to put oneself in another person’s shoes.
Step-by-step explanation: