The Psychology of Loneliness: Some Personality Issues in the Study of Social Support

Abstract

With certain exceptions, the literature on social support has not emphasized personality issues, focusing instead on the availability of support networks, and the ways in which they contribute to health and well-being. Similarly, little attention has been paid to those factors that might influence the probability of either developing or accessing a supportive social network. Research on relationships and interpersonal behavior more broadly conceived, however, suggests that individuals vary considerably in their ability to achieve interpersonal goals as well as in the skill and confidence necessary to interact with others effectively. The purpose of the present paper then is to consider the role of personality and individual differences in the experience of loneliness and by implication in the process of social support.