Attachment orientations predicting loneliness: The role of self-determined and non-self-determined solitude

Loneliness has been identified as a global health concern and its prevalence is increasing. Attachment theory and self-determination theory can provide insight into the underlying factors which may cause people to feel lonely. This study examined whether individuals’ attachment orientations are associated with their self-determined solitude and non-self-determined solitude, and in turn, their feelings of loneliness. Online surveys were administered to 548 adult community members (35.8%) and university students (64.2%), ( M age = 33.16, SD age = 17.38, range = 18–84). The survey measured attachment orientations, motivation for solitude (i.e., self-determined and non-self-determined solitude), and loneliness. The study used a prospective correlational design with 1-week between the Time 1 and Time 2 surveys. Structural equation modelling was used to test the predictive effects of anxious and avoidant attachment orientations on loneliness, as mediated by motivation for solitude. Analyses revealed that higher motivation for non-self-determined solitude mediated the relationship between anxious and avoidant attachment on loneliness. Self-determined solitude did not mediate the relationship between anxious and avoidant attachment and loneliness. However, self-determined solitude was associated with lower loneliness. These findings highlight that higher motivation for non-self-determined solitude may be a key mechanism linking anxious and avoidant attachment orientations with loneliness. Additionally, self-determined solitude seems to play a key role in reducing loneliness. The findings expand our understanding of motivational processes for those with higher attachment anxiety and avoidance, providing key practical implications for future interventions to focus on increasing self-determined solitude through psychological need fulfilment for individuals with higher attachment anxiety and avoidance, which may help to decrease loneliness.