Reframing Time Spent Alone: Reappraisal Buffers the Emotional Effects of
Isolation
#MMPMID32836563
Rodriguez M
; Bellet BW
; McNally RJ
Cognit Ther Res
2020[]; 44
(6
): 1052-1067
PMID32836563
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BACKGROUND: Loneliness, a transdiagnostic feature of psychopathology, is an
experience of perceived isolation only weakly linked to the amount of time spent
alone. Although traditional loneliness interventions aim to increase social
contact, targeting maladaptive cognition about time alone may be an effective way
to reduce loneliness. We investigated whether a brief reappraisal manipulation
enables individuals to experience their time alone more positively. We also
tested the impact of trait loneliness, compulsive social media use, and trait
reappraisal on experiences of time alone. METHODS: College students and community
members (N?=?220) were randomly assigned to read a passage about the benefits of
solitude (n?=?74), the true prevalence of loneliness (n?=?72), or a control topic
(n?=?74). Participants then sat alone for 10 min. RESULTS: Across conditions,
positive and negative mood significantly decreased after sitting alone.
Participants who read about the benefits of solitude experienced a smaller
reduction in positive mood than those in the control condition. Participants who
less frequently used reappraisal in their everyday lives benefited most from the
manipulation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide preliminary evidence that
reappraising time alone as solitude may boost resilience to the decrements in
positive mood associated with time alone. Limitations, clinical implications, and
directions for future research are discussed.
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