Dataset. Raw Results. Alone and Unaware. An Ethnography of Unidentified and Unacknowledged Unwanted Youth Loneliness

This article explores the often-hidden experience of unwanted loneliness among youth in an increasingly digital world, where opportunities for connection abound yet true intimacy remains elusive. Using a reflexive ethnographic approach, this study examines how young people in Alicante, Spain, navigate loneliness within both digital and physical spaces. The research integrates multiple methods, including: (1) questionnaires administered to 268 participants, (2) in-depth interviews with 16 young people who later took part in focus groups, (3) UCLA Loneliness Scale assessments with 44 participants before and after the study, and (4) ethnographic field notes. This study focuses on two key dimensions of loneliness: unidentified loneliness (when individuals do not recognize their own isolation) and unacknowledged loneliness (when they feel alone but refuse to verbalize it). Through the life stories of five focal participants, the findings reveal how cultural, social, and gendered dynamics shape youth loneliness, often masking it behind digital interactions. Reflexive ethnography proves essential in engaging deeply with these narratives, shedding light on the contradictions between hyperconnectivity and social disconnection. Ultimately, this research highlights the need for safe, authentic spaces that allow young people to confront and articulate their loneliness without stigma.