How to feel connected to yourself, others and the world
Type of research: quantitative empirical
Description:
Human beings have a fundamental need for connectedness. Experiencing a subjective sense of connection to oneself, to other people, and to the surrounding world plays a crucial role in well-being. When this sense of connectedness is compromised, individuals may experience feelings of alienation and disorientation at both intrapersonal and interpersonal levels. Such disconnection can manifest as a diminished sense of self-coherence, social isolation, and a perceived lack of belonging in the broader world. Notably, disturbances in connectedness have been implicated in a wide range of psychological disorders, including eating disorders, borderline personality disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
In this experience sampling method (ESM) study, you will investigate how momentary daily experiences are associated with fluctuations in perceived connectedness. You are encouraged to formulate your own research question, allowing substantial scope for theoretical integration, methodological choice, and creative inquiry.
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Townsend, K. C., & McWhirter, B. T. (2005). Connectedness: A review of the literature with implications for counseling, assessment, and research. Journal of Counseling & Development, 83, 191-201.
Watts, R., Kettner, H., Geerts, D., Gandy, S., Kartner, L., Mertens, L., ... & Roseman, L. (2022). The Watts Connectedness Scale: a new scale for measuring a sense of connectedness to self, others, and world. Psychopharmacology, 239, 3461-3483.