Disciplinary and Methodological Pluralism in Loneliness Studies

Summary, in English

Scientists may benefit from implementing interdisciplinary and multi-method approaches when studying loneliness. Loneliness is a complex phenomenon that is influenced by biological, psychological, social, cultural, and political factors. In addition, it also reflects and impacts personal and local experiences as well as broader social forces, thus being both universal and contextual at the same time. For these reasons, no single disciplinary lens or methodological approach can capture its full scope. It is important to recognize and appreciate that different academic fields and a very wide range of methodological strategies are involved in the study of loneliness, each with its own range of vantage points and advantages. Mapping out such disciplinary and methodological heterogeneity in this chapter supports a case for epistemic pluralism when studying loneliness, in terms of its multilevel and multidomain aspects, complex intersectionality, dual cognitive and embodied dimensions, and its temporal, nonstatic nature. Ultimately, the study of loneliness is an ideal case for advancing and benefiting from a reflexive and pluralist research approach

• Författare: Christopher Swader; Renato Guevara-Ayón
• Redaktör: Todd Nelson
• Avdelning/ar: Sociologi
• Publiceringsår: 2025
• Språk: Engelska
• Sidor: 63-85
• Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie: The Handbook of Loneliness
• Länkar: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-02959-1_4
• Dokumenttyp: Del av eller Kapitel i bok
• Förlag: Springer Nature
• Ämne: Social Work
• Aktiv: Published
• ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt: ISBN: 978-3-032-02958-4; ISBN: 978-3-032-02959-1