Research conducted in China has shed light on the complex relationship between loneliness and belonging. While the nation is known for its strong emphasis on social connection, a recent study reveals that feelings of isolation often stem from deeper issues related to place and cultural practices. This multifaceted exploration involved interviews with 20 Chinese participants across various ages and regions, challenging Western notions that view loneliness primarily as a problem of individual relationships.
The investigation, supported by the Templeton World Charity Foundation and conducted by the Annecy Behavioral Science Lab, emphasizes that in China, belonging is not solely defined by relationships with people, but also by a profound connection to place. Participants expressed feelings of loneliness not just from missing friends or family, but from longing for their hometowns and the traditions linked to them. A participant noted, “I have been in my hometown for 19 years, so I have a very deep sense of connection to my hometown.”
Place-Based Belonging and Cultural Disruption
As modernization and migration reshape the landscape, traditional roots that anchor a sense of belonging are being severed. Participants described how the loss of geographic proximity to their ancestral homes contributes significantly to their feelings of disconnection. One individual reminisced about returning to their university campus years after graduation, feeling an overwhelming sense of nostalgia tied to familiar places. This emphasis on place-based belonging highlights a crucial dimension of loneliness that is often overlooked.
In southeastern coastal regions of China, entire villages are interwoven through shared surnames and ancestry, reinforced by rituals such as ancestral worship and celebrations during the Spring Festival. When work-related migration occurs, individuals do not just leave behind social ties; they lose an entire framework of belonging. “In our country, even if the atmosphere in the original family is not good, people still need to return to their hometowns during specific holidays like the Spring Festival,” explained another participant, underscoring the importance of these cultural gatherings.
Participants noted that missing these occasions does not merely signify a missed celebration; it represents a disconnection from the very essence of belonging in Chinese culture. As one participant articulated, “Missing them doesn’t just mean missing a celebration—it means being cut off from the very mechanisms that constitute belonging.”
The Silent Struggle with Loneliness
Despite the intensity of their feelings, many participants expressed reluctance to discuss loneliness openly. Cultural barriers play a significant role, as admitting to loneliness may be perceived as a personal failure in a collectivist society that values group harmony. “In China, people often label others as ‘lonely,’ which is kind of disrespectful,” noted one participant, illustrating the stigma surrounding the topic.
This silence perpetuates a cycle where individuals feel unable to communicate their emotional struggles, leading to an increased sense of isolation. Most participants described loneliness psychologically as a feeling of emotional absence, helplessness, and emptiness. Some even reported physical repercussions, including chronic illness and disrupted sleep patterns. However, formal help-seeking remains rare, with only one participant expressing interest in seeing a psychologist, citing cost as a barrier.
Paradoxically, China’s focus on social connections can exacerbate feelings of loneliness. Many participants described engaging in numerous social activities that lacked genuine connection. One individual remarked, “In China, social connections are often superficial, with everyone wasting large amounts of time and energy on social connection performance, which in turn deepens people’s sense of loneliness.”
The investigation underscores that interventions aimed solely at increasing social contact may miss the deeper issues at play. For effective strategies to combat loneliness in China, it is essential to incorporate the cultural frameworks of belonging that are rooted in place, ancestry, and ritual participation.
As the research suggests, fostering genuine connections rather than merely performing social rituals may be key to alleviating loneliness. By acknowledging the unique experiences of migrant workers and the impact of cultural traditions, policymakers can better address the underlying factors contributing to loneliness in Chinese society.
This study highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of loneliness, recognizing that every culture has its own architecture of belonging. In China, addressing loneliness requires a recognition that the migrant worker missing the Spring Festival at home is not just longing for family but is also experiencing a rupture in the place-based continuity and ritual participation that make belonging possible.
