Emotions and Loneliness in a Networked Society

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxiii

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2. An Introduction to Emotions and Loneliness in a Networked Society

   • Bianca Fox

   Pages 1-9

3. Mediated Emotions and Loneliness

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 11-11

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   2. Emotions in the Public Sphere: Networked Solidarity, Technology and Social Ties

      • Emiliana De Blasio, Donatella Selva

      Pages 13-44

   3. Mediatised Emotions: A Framework for Understanding the Display of Affect in the Network Society

      • Javier Serrano-Puche, Leonor Solís Rojas

      Pages 45-68

   4. Communication of Loneliness Emotions in the Online Vlogs and Their Moral Value

      • Skaidrīte Lasmane, Kristīne Antonova

      Pages 69-86

   5. Connected Emotions on Tinder: The Development of Social Skills and a Digital Self Among Users from Mexico City and Madrid

      • Rodrigo Alonso Cardoso-González

      Pages 87-111

4. Loneliness: Representations and Experiences

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 113-113

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   2. Loneliness Essentialism and Mental Illness Stigmatization

      • Sanae Elmoudden

      Pages 115-134

   3. Media Representation of Loneliness in China

      • Ling Qiu, Xin Liu

      Pages 135-154

   4. Making Sense of The Lonely Crowd, Today: Youth, Emotions and Loneliness in a Networked Society

      • Rosalina Pisco Costa, Paulo Infante, Anabela Afonso, Gonçalo Jacinto

      Pages 155-178

   5. Lonelier Than Ever? Romania’s Forgotten Seniors

      • Valentina Marinescu, Ecaterina Balica

      Pages 179-200

   6. Experiences of Loneliness: People with a Learning Disability and Barriers to Community Inclusion

      • Liz Tilly

      Pages 201-221

   7. Emotions of Belonging and Playing Families Across Borders in Sub-Saharan Africa

      • Khanyile Mlotshwa

      Pages 223-238

   8. Loneliness as an Activation Strategy in Narratives of Contemporary Advertising

      • Dennis A. Olsen

      Pages 239-251

   9. Lonely Indian Housewives: Gendered Portrayal of Loneliness in Bollywood Cinema

      • Arundhathi, Sarah Zia

      Pages 253-268

5. Combating Loneliness

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 269-269

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   2. Online Connectedness as a Cure for Loneliness?

      • Bina Nir, Yaron Ariel

      Pages 271-282

   3. Biodigital Influencers: A New Alternative for Fighting Loneliness

      • Marie-Nathalie Jauffret, Vanessa Landaverde Kastberg

      Pages 283-307

   4. Loneliness and Social Media: A Qualitative Investigation of Young People’s Motivations for Use, and Perceptions of Social Networking Sites

      • Bianca Fox

      Pages 309-331

Loneliness affects quality of life, life satisfaction, and well-being, and it is associated with various health problems, both somatic and mental. This book takes an international and interdisciplinary approach to the study of loneliness, identifying and bridging the gaps in academic research on loneliness, and creating new research pathways. Focusing in particular on loneliness in the context of new and emergent communication technologies, it provides a wide range of theoretical and methodological perspectives and will contribute to the re-evaluation of the way we understand and research this contemporary global phenomenon.

• Loneliness
• Social Isolation
• Social Media
• Young People
• Media Representation
• Smartphones

“This collection thoughtfully explores how technologies of togetherness contribute to – and challenge – contemporary experiences of loneliness. With case studies from Europe, Asia and Africa, this volume provides much-needed insight into the multiplicity of connectedness in the digital age.” (Zeena Feldman, King's College London, UK)

“It is one of the 21^st century’s great ironies that the more advances in technology allow society to connect and network on a global scale, the more we are at risk of unprecedented levels of disconnection, social isolation and loneliness. By championing an interdisciplinary approach this volume provides new insights into what is one of the greatest social and health challenges of our time.” (Professor Michael Wilson, Loughborough University, UK)

“In a world where each news cycle seems to bring news of another mass-shooting, of people stranded or killed crossing borders, or of intractable conflicts across the globe, it is all too easy to lose sight of the important questions around loneliness, solidarity, new media and human connection that this book poses. Bianca Fox has brought together a mix of fascinating, timely and compassionate scholarship which explores experiences of loneliness in different national settings, the complex significance of the internet therein, and the problematic reification of social media’s role in modern loneliness by both optimists and pessimists.” (Shakuntala Banaji, Associate Professor, Department of Media and Communication, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK)

“We are more and more lonely in a world that seemingly offers more connectivity than ever. The volume Emotions and Loneliness in a Networked Society offers a very timely and valuable insight into loneliness, a phenomenon which is increasingly recognised as one of the key problems societies across the world face.” (Dariusz Galasinski, Professor of Discourse and Cultural Studies, University of Wolverhampton, UK)

• University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK

  Bianca Fox

Bianca Fox is Senior Lecturer in TV, Broadcasting and Journalism at the University of Wolverhampton, UK. She is also Subject Leader for Film, Media and Journalism and Deputy Director of the Research Centre for Film, Media, Discourse and Culture.

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