social isolation
Definition
Social isolation refers to a subjective sense of being cut off from social connection and the support ordinarily available through interpersonal networks. When individuals refrain from internet use, feelings of isolation increase alongside decreases in perceived social support, and these two variables together mediate the relationship between conspiracy mentality and negative emotional outcomes during the unplugging experience. The strength of the association between social isolation and negative emotions during a 24-hour digital detox was substantial, with correlations of r = .66 (p < .001) in a Chinese sample and r = .83 (p < .001) in an Australian sample.
Sources: Jetten et al. (2023)
Related Terms
- social media (1 shared article)
- unplugging (1 shared article)
- well-being (1 shared article)
- conspiracy beliefs (1 shared article)
Applications
Social Isolation and Conspiracy Mentality
Higher conspiracy mentality scores are associated with greater feelings of social isolation, with correlations of r = .47 (p < .001) in a Chinese sample and r = .20 (p < .05) in an Australian sample during a 24-hour unplugging challenge. Social isolation, along with reduced social support, mediates the pathway from conspiracy beliefs to negative emotions experienced while offline, a pattern observed across both collectivistic and individualistic cultural contexts.
Sources: Jetten et al. (2023)
Social Isolation and Negative Emotions
Social isolation during a period of internet abstinence is robustly linked to heightened negative emotions, with the correlation between the two variables reaching r = .83 (p < .001) in an Australian sample. Part of the distress reported during unplugging appears to stem specifically from the sense of being cut off from social support, an experience that is especially pronounced among individuals higher in conspiracy mentality.
Sources: Jetten et al. (2023)
Social Isolation and Social Support
Social isolation and social support function as related but distinct mediating variables in the relationship between conspiracy mentality and negative emotions during internet abstinence. During a 24-hour digital detox, feeling less socially supported and more isolated co-occurred, and together these experiences accounted for the elevated negative affect reported by participants, particularly those with stronger conspiracy beliefs.
Sources: Jetten et al. (2023)
