Trapped and lost in transition - existential loneliness during adolescence described in retrospect by Swedish university students

Figures & data

Table 1. Themes and formulated meanings of the phenomenon of existential loneliness during adolescence.

Themes	Formulated meanings
Being lost in a borderland, having no control	Losing oneself Not understanding oneself Trying to create a new sense of self Being uncertain about the future Feeling helpless and exposed Feeling both young and old Feeling lost Being torn between others’ expectations and one’s own will Dealing with several emotions and thoughts Losing control
Being invisible, feeling abandoned	Not being seen or listened to Feeling insignificant and neglected Not being prioritized Lacking someone who has one’s back Being left alone with emotions and thoughts Not knowing where to turn Yearning to be listened to
Being socially excluded, feeling misunderstood	Being left out Feeling one does not belong Feeling different and not fitting in Feeling alone with the experiences Having different values and thoughts than others Not being good enough Not being accepted Not being understood Feeling lonely even when people are around
Being in a vacuum, lacking meaning and hope	Feeling empty Having a hole inside Feeling empty despite being full of emotions Feeling hopelessness Lacking coherence Lacking meaning
Being burdened, hiding painful feelings	Not being able to share Not daring to share Carrying a secret, carrying a heavy burden Being in a bubble Hiding what is painful Keeping feelings and thoughts inside Not wanting to show weakness or burden others with worries
Being trapped, wanting to escape	Feeling stuck or locked in Feeling paralysed Being trapped, behind a wall or in deep waters Not being able to flee the burdensome feelings and thoughts Wanting to disappear Zooming out Yearning to escape

Figure 1. The terms the participants used when expressing existential loneliness.