Loneliness, Emotions, and Regulation: Understanding Institutions through Privacy

forthcoming

LONERS addresses the growing public health and security concern of loneliness, which often leads to feelings of isolation, anxiety and despair. As loneliness becomes more prevalent in modern society, its social and political implications expand. However, loneliness can also evoke positive emotions such as calm, self-reliance and empathy, highlighting the complexity of this emotional landscape. Understanding this spectrum of emotions is crucial for addressing loneliness effectively in both individual and societal contexts. LONERS examines the interplay between loneliness, privacy and emotion, with the goal of reconceptualizing how institutions recognize and meet the emotional needs of citizens. The project goes beyond traditional approaches to privacy in data protection and surveillance, identifying key moments where institutions can intervene to support individuals while respecting their privacy. By systematically exploring how personal emotional experiences of loneliness intersect with societal values, norms and expertise, LONERS aims to provide a conceptual framework to better follow the balance between regulating citizens’ well-being and respecting their privacy. Through an innovative, multi-method analysis—including life-story interviews, a discourse analysis of personal blogs and text-as-data-supported reviews of expert debates and policy discussions—LONERS will bring unique empirical insights about the diverse emotions associated with loneliness. By reframing the scholarly discourse, LONERS will conceptualise the critical role of emotions in shaping institutions. This work will contribute to broader debates about how public institutions navigate the balance between understanding and acting upon intimate information. This research will significantly advance our understanding of loneliness and privacy, while paving the way for future explorations into social cohesion and welfare, opening new avenues for research.