Virginia Thomas Study Finds Chosen Solitude Boosts Well‑Being

Behavioral scientists report that people who prefer solitude are not necessarily lonely. A 2019 study led by Virginia Thomas and Margarita Azmitia surveyed U.S. emerging adults and adolescents and created a Motivation for Solitude Scale. The research distinguished self‑determined (chosen) solitude from solitude driven by pressure, rejection, or discomfort. Participants who engaged in self‑determined solitude showed higher well‑being, while pressured solitude correlated with loneliness and poorer mental health. The findings highlight that the quality of one’s own company and the degree of choice are key factors in the psychological experience of being alone.

The studies suggest that introverts or those who seek alone time for reading, creative work, or reflection can benefit from intentional, voluntary solitude, rather than viewing solitude as a deficit. This nuance challenges simple notions that social interaction is always preferable for mental health.