Loneliness, genetics, and adolescent development: A response to Cacioppo, Lichtenstein, and Meeus

Abstract

The three experts joined me in my general conclusion that a collaborative effort by developmental psychologists, geneticists, and neuroscientists will greatly improve the quality of developmental research. The integrative model I proposed for such research on adolescent loneliness can be extended in three specific ways, as suggested by the three experts. Research on this topic can be significantly advanced if the construct of loneliness is analysed in greater detail (Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2012, this issue), if the most recent advances in genetics are incorporated into our studies (Lichtenstein, 2012, this issue), and if the design and conceptualization of studies on gene–environment (G×E) interactions is aligned more closely with key insights from research on human development (Meeus, 2012, this issue). When reinforced along these lines, the integrative model I originally proposed can serve as an even more potent illustration of collaborative research by experts in developmental science, genetics, and the neurosciences.

Keywords:

• Loneliness
• Genetics
• Adolescence

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Luc Goossens

Funding for this paper was provided through Grant GOA 12/2009 (STRATEGIES project) of the KULeuven Research Fund