University of Twente Student Theses
The effect of storytelling and mysterious nature on loneliness
Wegener, P. (2022) The effect of storytelling and mysterious nature on loneliness.
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| Abstract: | This study investigated the effect of storytelling and mysterious nature on loneliness in students. Loneliness is a prevalent problem in our society, especially in students. Storytelling has been suggested to decrease loneliness while mysterious nature has been connected to two loneliness decreasing factors, creativity and social connectedness. This study had a sample of 107 students from the University of Twente in the Netherlands. A 2 x 2 (mysterious nature high - low and writing task storytelling – neutral) design with a pre- and post-test of loneliness was employed. Experience of awe, social aspirations, degree of immersion and nationality were measured during the post-test as possible covariates. It was hypothesised that a storytelling writing task and mysterious nature would decrease loneliness significantly compared to their respective control condition and that there would be an interaction effect between the two variables. A significant decrease of loneliness was found in the whole sample, regardless of experimental condition. The main effects of storytelling and mystery were not significant. The interaction effect was significant, and the effects of mystery and storytelling seem to have a decreasing effect on each other. Social aspirations were confirmed as a covariate and was positively correlated with difference in loneliness scores. The findings suggest that exposure to a storytelling writing task and mysterious virtual nature might be able to decrease loneliness, and that storytelling and mystery should be best used separately. Both storytelling and mystery were more effective when used with the control condition of the other. This led to the assumption that for diminishing loneliness it is more effective to use either storytelling or mysterious virtual nature. The exact nature of the effects of storytelling and mysterious nature need to be examined further. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology BSc (56604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/91553 |
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