Assertiveness, Social Support and Loneliness
Mioara Cristea, Nicoleta Nastasã, Adelina Pãdurariu
Abstract: Loneliness has been defined as a subjective disagreeable feeling which could have serious emotional, social and physiological consequences (Peplau & Perlman, 1982). Weiss (1973) stated the existence of two types of loneliness: emotional loneliness which is the result of the absence or loss of an attachment figure (parents, spouse, etc) and social loneliness, as a consequence of the lack of social networking (friends, peers, colleagues, etc). Thus, he has suggested that loneliness represents a natural response to the absence of significant relationships for the person experiencing it.
Taking in consideration the bi-dimensional perspective of loneliness mentioned by Weiss (1973), the objectives of this study were to indentify the possible socio-demographics characteristics which may influence the different types of loneliness in adults; to describe the feelings that people commonly associate with loneliness in general and, if assertiveness, social support and social skills may somehow influence the experience of emotional, romantic or, social loneliness and why.
Keywords: emotional and social loneliness, assertiveness, social skills and support, romantic relationship.
Rezumat: Singurãtatea reprezintã un sentiment subiectiv profund ce poate avea consecinþe psihologice, sociale ºi fiziologice (Peplau & Perlman, 1982) . Weiss (1973) constata existenþa a douã tipuri de singurãtate: cea emoþionalã resimþitã ca urmare a absenþei sau pierderii persoanelor apropiate (pãrinþi, soþ sau soþie) ºi cea socialã apãrutã din cauza absenþei integrãrii într-o reþea sociale (prieteni, amici, colegi, etc). Astfel, el a sugerat faptul cã singurãtatea este un rãspuns natural firesc al individului determinat de absenþa unor relaþii semnificative în viaþa acestuia.
Prin urmare, pornind de la perspectiva bi-dimensionalã asupra singurãtãþii a lui Weis, obiectivele generale ale acestui studiu au fost de a identifica potenþiali factori socio-demografici ce ar determina apariþia ale celor douã forme de singurãtate; descrierea emoþiilor ºi sentimentelor asociate cel mai frecvent cu aceastã stare ºi dacã, asertivitatea, suprotul social ºi ompetenþele sociale influenþeazã sau nu resimþirea uneia dintre cele douã forme de singurãtate ºi cum anume.
Cuvinte-cheie: singurãtate socialã ºi emoþionalã, asertivitate, competenþã socialã, suport social, relaþii romantice.
Résumé: La solitude est un sentiment subjectif désagréable et affligé que puisse avoir de conséquences émotionnelles, sociales et physiologiques très sérieuses (Peplau & Perlman, 1982). Weiss (1973) a affirmé qu.il y a deux types de solitude: émotionnelle produite par l.absence ou la perte d.une figure d.attachement (les parents ou l.amoureux) et la solitude sociale produite par l.absence d.un réseau social (des amis, collègues). En outré, il a suggéré que l.expérience de la solitude est une réponse naturelle à l.absence des relations significatives pour la personne en cause. Donc, en considérant la perspective bi . dimensionnelle de la solitude, les objectives générales d.étude sont d.identifier les possibles mécanismes intérieurs/ extérieurs générateurs que peuvent générés le phénomène de la solitude aux adultes (avec ses dimensions); décrier les sentiments que sont fréquemment associés avec l.expérience de la solitude et, si l.assertivité, le support et la compétence sociale peuvent influencer l.expérience de la solitude romantique, émotionnelle ou sociale et pourquoi.
Mots clé: solitude émotionnelle et sociale, assertivité, compétence sociale, support sociale, relations romantiques.
