A Systematic Review of Cyber Loneliness in Relation to Personality, Hardiness, Hopelessness, and Family Environment among Digitally Socialized Youth

Rekha Yadav; Manju Rani

A Systematic Review of Cyber Loneliness in Relation to Personality, Hardiness, Hopelessness, and Family Environment among Digitally Socialized Youth

Author(s)	Ms. Rekha Yadav, Dr. Manju Rani
Country	India
Abstract	Abstract: India provides a key context for studying cyber loneliness. The Kantar-IAMAI ICUBE (2024) report notes that India has over 886 million active internet users, with young adults making up the largest group. The Data Reported Digital India Report (2025) estimates that there are about 491 million active social media user identities, highlighting how digital technology is woven into daily life. Despite this widespread connectivity, many young people in India are facing emotional distress, loneliness, and psychological exhaustion. Loneliness is not classified as a separate mental disorder in the DSM-5-TR or ICD-11. This review examines existing research to understand how personality traits, psychological hardiness, hopelessness, and family environments contribute to cyber loneliness among youth raised in digital settings. The findings draw from over 40 empirical studies that met strict criteria and were analyzed to identify both personal and systemic factors behind digital isolation. The research shows that people with higher education levels often have better internet access, likely due to resources from educational institutions. Gender differences in internet use are also evident, with women and men exhibiting distinct patterns of engagement (Boneva and Frohlich, 2001). Studies have found that lonely individuals tend to have lower psychological competence (Leung, 2001; Spitzberg and Canary, 1985), and Monahan-Martin and Schumacher (2003) observed that lonely people are more likely to use the internet and email for emotional support. Many turn to online spaces to escape daily pressures and discomfort. The analysis highlights that high neuroticism, low extraversion, and high hopelessness are strongly linked to severe cyber loneliness. Overall, the review finds that cyber loneliness is a complex issue shaped by both individual psychological factors and current social environments.
Keywords	Keywords: Cyber Loneliness, Personality Traits, Hardiness, Hopelessness, Family Environment, Digitally Socialized Youth – A systematic review.
Field	Sociology > Philosophy / Psychology / Religion
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-08-30

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A Systematic Review of Cyber Loneliness in Relation to Personality, Hardiness, Hopelessness, and Family Environment among Digitally Socialized Youth

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