Loneliness and Indian Women: A Comprehensive Analysis

Loneliness, a complex and pervasive emotional state, has garnered increased attention in recent years due to its detrimental effects on mental and physical well-being. This chapter explores the multifaceted nature of loneliness, exploring its causes, manifestations, and consequences, particularly loneliness in women. Factors contributing to loneliness vary widely, encompassing individual characteristics, life circumstances, and societal norms. The advent of digital technology, while facilitating virtual connectivity, paradoxically exacerbates feelings of loneliness through shallow social interactions and heightened social comparison. In the Indian context, where traditional familial ties coexist with rapid urbanization and globalization, understanding the experience of loneliness becomes imperative for effective intervention and policy formulation.