Breaking the Silence on Loneliness in Society: Emerging Adults’ Experiences With the Taboo and Stigma of Loneliness

Despite growing awareness of loneliness among emerging adults, the taboo and stigma surrounding loneliness remains poorly understood. The present study, based on 22 semi-structured interviews with emerging adults in the Netherlands, investigates how taboo and stigma shape their experiences of loneliness and the strategies they use and suggest to overcome them. Findings reveal that while emerging adults are increasingly open about their feelings within close networks, loneliness remains a sensitive and stigmatised topic in broader societal contexts. Participants suggested that solutions to reduce stigma and taboo lie within personal environments and educational settings, though they did not view the workplace as a significant place to address taboo and stigma. The study highlights the need for further research to explore the underlying causes of loneliness in emerging adults and calls for interventions that address personal and societal aspects of taboo and stigma.