THE PHENOMENOM OF LONELINESS AND THE PSYCHOSOCIAL PROFILE OF UNMARRIED ADULTS

Abstract

This article examines how loneliness manifests among unmarried adults and how cultural context (Uzbekistan vs Western societies) shapes their psychosocial profiles. We define loneliness as a subjective distress when social needs are unmet and review global trends showing that single individuals often report higher loneliness than married ones. In Western settings, singles often forge broad social networks and report personal growthwhereas in traditional Uzbek culture unmarried adults (especially women) face strong marriage norms and stigma outline factors like social support, stigma, and health outcomes, citing psychological studies that report unmarried adults may have more depression and social isolation. The review highlights differences: Western singles often value independence and maintain extensive, while Uzbek singles may rely primarily on family networks but feel societal pressure. Concluding, we find that in collectivist Uzbekistan the pressure to marry and strong family-centric values contrast with the more individualistic West, leading to distinct experiences of loneliness and well-being among unmarried adults. These insights underscore the importance of cultural context in understanding singlehood and loneliness.