3-240 - Well Enough Alone? Considering the Positive Aspects of Solitude in Childhood and Adolescence

Session Type: Conversation Roundtable

Integrative Statement

Moderator: Dr. Robert Coplan, Carleton University, Canada

Solitude is a normative human experience throughout the lifespan (Larson, 1990). However, despite its ubiquitous nature, being alone is often portrayed as a less than desirable state. The potential costs of solitude for well-being are underscored in contemporary psychological theories emphasizing affiliation with others as a basic human need (Baumeister & Leary, 1995), the developmental importance of peer relationships (Rubin et al., 2015), the mood-enhancing qualities of social interactions (Epley & Schroeder, 2014), and the damaging effects of loneliness (Hawkley & Cacioppo, 2010).

There is also a long history of theoretical arguments espousing potential benefits of solitude (Merton, 1958; Winnicott, 1958), highlighting time alone as an important context for self-exploration (Goossens, 2014), creativity (Csikszentmihalyi, 1996), and self-renewal (Korpela & Staats, 2014). It has been argued that solitude is most likely to impart benefits when it is intrinsically motivated (Nguyen et al., 2018). However, surprisingly little empirical research has directly demonstrated the positive impacts of solitude (Coplan et al., 2018).

This Roundtable will explore contemporary perspectives on potential benefits of solitude in childhood/adolescence. We will consider if, how, and under what circumstances, solitude can contribute to positive development, and examine how putative “causes” of solitary behaviors (e.g., shyness, unsociability) might be construed in a more positive light. Panelists are leading international experts who will face key questions pertaining to areas of controversy. The Moderator will facilitate extensive discussion, draw attention to theoretical and applied issues, and urge participants to address implications for future research.

Sub Unit

• Social Relationships

Moderator

• Robert J Coplan, Carleton University

Panelists

• Cristina Colonnesi, University of Amsterdam

• Luc Goossens, KU Leuven

• Louis Schmidt, McMaster University

• Kenneth H. Rubin, Department of Human Development & Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland