Concept Definition of Existential Loneliness Based on Rodgers' Evolutionary Concept Analysis
Abstract：Objective: Through the comparison of related concepts, to understand the evolutionary process of existential loneliness, clarify its characteristics, and distinguish it from other types of loneliness. Methods: Systematically retrieved databases including CNKI, China Biological Medicine Database, VIP Database, Wanfang Database, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, using keywords such as 'existential loneliness', 'existential loneliness feeling', 'interpersonal loneliness', 'existential loneliness', 'existential isolation', and analyzed the deep connotation of existential loneliness by using Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis method. Results: Individuals experiencing existential loneliness are in a situation where no one can understand their thoughts, emotions, and experiences, and they feel separated from people and the world. In this situation, individuals experience loneliness, which is summarized into three attributes: sense of separation, sense of alienation, and sense of helplessness. The prerequisites include four aspects: specific situations, individual factors, family factors, and social factors. Measurement indicators are the Existential Loneliness Questionnaire, the Survival Pain Scale, and the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Conclusion: Existential loneliness is a concept that continues to expand and appears in people of different life stages. The connotation of existential loneliness will further develop in empirical studies targeting different populations with health needs.
Keywords：existential lonelinesssurvive alonelonelinessconceptual analysis
Publication Date：2025-05-25
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：4( 1838-1841 )