This innovative book provides a new conceptual analysis of loneliness -
a condition associated with severe health consequences, including
increased morbidity and early death.
Arguing that social connection is not the only answer, it explores
pathways for transforming loneliness to healthy solitude. The first part
of the book draws on the humanities and arts, including psychology,
philosophy, and literature to analyse the common, and potentially
serious, problem of loneliness. It makes the case that the condition is
less a deficiency than a state of self-disconnection that modernity
feeds through social forces. The second part of the book looks at how
person-centred health care can help educate persons to transform
loneliness into healthy solitude. It provides an analysis of
self-connection and spiritual connection, discussing how these forms of
contact can mitigate risks associated with both lack of social
connection, and social connection itself, such as self-disconnection and
rejection by others. It goes on to demonstrate that connection to the
self and spirit can make aloneness a resource and facilitate access to
benefits of connecting with others.
This thought-provoking book provides students, scholars, and
practitioners from a range of health and social care backgrounds with a
new way of thinking about, researching, and practising with lonely
people.