Impact of Loneliness and Emotional Regulation on Life Satisfaction Among Young Adults

Abstract

The study investigates the impact of loneliness and emotional regulation strategies on life satisfaction of young adults in India. The study has three main objectives to examine relationship between loneliness and emotional regulation strategies, to assess the role these strategies play in predicting loneliness and to analyze their combined impact on life satisfaction. Study uses a quantitative correlational research design. Technique of purposive sampling is used to recruit 205 participants in age range 18 to 25 years. Data is gathered through survey method on UCLA Loneliness Scale, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and Satisfaction with Life Scale. Results reveal significant positive relationship between loneliness and emotional suppression and a significant negative relationship between loneliness and cognitive reappraisal. Further, only emotional suppression significantly positively predicts loneliness. Loneliness and emotional suppression significantly negatively predict life satisfaction. Cognitive reappraisal significantly positively predicts life satisfaction. In conclusion, study shows negative impact of emotional suppression in predicting loneliness and life satisfaction. Cognitive reappraisal plays a buffering role in mitigating effects of loneliness and enhancing life satisfaction. This holds significant implications for mental health interventions for youth to promote development of adaptive emotional regulation skills and emotional resilience to thrive in life. Future research should include longitudinal design with broader demographics for generalizability of this integrated model of well-being.