Abstract:

Loneliness is a kind of negative feeling. Being in this state for a long time will lead to children’s maladjustment. Social Needs Theory suggests loneliness is a response to a relational deficit, and emphasizes the affective aspects of loneliness; while cognitive processes approach suggests that loneliness results from dissatisfaction with one’s social perceived social relationships, and emphasizes the cognitive aspects of loneliness. Variables on the four levels of peer experiences, have impacts on loneliness, while as negative emotional experience, loneliness has negative effect on peer experiences. Future studies should be more conducted on the integrative impacts of peer experiences and family functioning on loneliness. What’s more, interventions for lonely children are needed to be conducted

Key words: Children’s experiences with peers, aloneness, loneliness, solitude