Study title

Finnish Experiences of Loneliness 2020-2021

Dataset ID Number

FSD3609

Persistent identifier

urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3609

Data Type

Qualitative

Authors

• Finnish Literature Society. Archive

Abstract

The dataset consists of self-administered written texts on experiences of loneliness. The participants wrote about their experiences with loneliness during different stages of their lives. The data was collected in collaboration with MIELI Mental Health Finland and HelsinkiMissio.

The writing guidelines directed participants to write about their experiences of loneliness, the emotions elicited by those experiences, and their own relationship with loneliness. Additionally, participants were asked to write about the impact of loneliness on their lives, and how their experiences of loneliness and the feelings they associate with loneliness have changed throughout their lives. Participants were also invited to describe the ways they dealt with loneliness, how loneliness affected their health and wellbeing, and how loneliness could be prevented at a societal level. Some participants also chose to write about the difference between loneliness and being alone and experiencing loneliness while with others.

Background information included the participant's gender, year of birth, occupation, and area of residence. The data were organised into an easy to use HTML version at FSD.

The dataset is only available in Finnish.

Keywords

emotional states; friends; health; interpersonal relationships; loneliness; social networks; well-being (health)

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Social behaviour and attitudes (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Social conditions and indicators (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (B) available for research, teaching and study.

Data Collector

• Finnish Literature Society (SKS)

Collection Dates

2020-11-01 – 2021-04-30

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

People willing to write about their experiences of loneliness

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Non-probability: Availability

The writing invitation was targeted at all individuals in Finland who had experiences with loneliness. The invitation was published on the webpage of the Finnish Literature Society (SKS).

Collection Mode

Self-administered writings and/or diaries: E-mail

Self-administered writings and/or diaries: Paper

Self-administered writings and/or diaries: Web-based

Research Instrument

Data collection guidelines: Self-administered writings guide

Data Files

46 files in ODT or PDF format. Additionally, the data were organised into an easy to use HTML version and a CSV version.

Data File Language

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: Finnish.

Qualitative data are available in their original language only and are not translated.

Data Version

1.0

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

To prevent identification, references to the participants' names, pseudonyms, email addresses and other direct identifiers, as well as identifiers related to any third persons, were removed at FSD. The names that appeared in the texts were removed if they occurred once and replaced with fictitious names if they occurred more often. Additionally, pictures that were delivered as part of the data were anonymised or removed to prevent identification. Changes made at FSD are marked with [square brackets].

50 texts were received in response to the writing invitation, 49 of which were delivered to FSD. This dataset consists of 46 texts. Two texts were removed from the data because of conditions that the writer had set for the archiving of their text, and one text was removed because it only contained the writer's background information.

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Finnish Literature Society: Finnish Experiences of Loneliness 2020-2021 [dataset]. Version 1.0 (2022-07-11). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3609

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Special Terms and Conditions for Access

The data may contain identifiers that have not been anonymised (e.g. person names, information on place of residence, names of work places and such). When publishing quotations from the data, users need to consider very carefully in each specific case what information needs to be removed or altered according to research ethical guidelines.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Related Publications

Pärssinen, Otto. (2023). 'Jollain lailla olemme kaikki kuitenkin loppupeleissä yksin' : työikäisten naisten kokema yksinäisyyteen liittyvä ulkopuolisuus. Sosiaalityön pro gradu -tutkielma. Jyväskylän yliopisto.

Mäkynen, Roosa (2023) "Yksinäisyys on ohjannut koko elämäni toimintoja ja valintoja": Toimijuuden diskurssit yksinäisyyden kokemusta kuvaavissa elämäkerroissa. Sosiaalityön pro gradu -tutkielma. Tampereen yliopisto.

Brusila, Noora (2023). Kokemuksia emotionaalisesta yksinäisyydestä ihmisten seurassa. Hoitotieteiden pro gradu -tutkielma. Tampere: Tampereen yliopisto.

Määttä, Tiia (2022). "Miksi kukaan edes haluaisi olla tekemisissä mun kanssa?" Työikäisten aikuisten kokema yksinäisyys kirjoitusaineistossa. Tampere: Tampereen yliopisto. Yhteiskuntatutkimuksen tutkinto-ohjelma. Kandidaatintutkielma.