Who enjoys solitude? autonomous functioning (but not introversion) predicts self-determined motivation (but not preference) for solitude

Nguyen, Thuy-vy T.; Weinstein, Netta; Ryan, Richard M.

Abstract

Within the solitude literature, two discrete constructs reflect different perspectives on how time spent alone is motivated. Self-determined motivation for solitude reflects wanting time alone to find enjoyment and gain meaningful benefits from it, whereas preference for solitude concerns wanting time for oneself over others’ company regardless of reasons for why time alone is wanted. We investigated two personality characteristics: introversion from Big-Five personality theory and dispositional autonomy from self-determination theory. In two diary studies university students completed personality measures and reported about their experiences with time spent alone over a period of seven days. Across both studies, contrary to popular belief that introverts spend time alone because they enjoy it, results showed no evidence that introversion is predictive of either preference or motivation for solitude. Dispositional autonomy–the tendency to regulate from a place of self-congruence, interest, and lack of pressure–consistently predicted self-determined motivation for solitude but was unrelated to preference for solitude. These findings provided evidence supporting the link between valuing time spent alone with individual differences in the capacity to self-regulate in choiceful and authentic way.

Citation

Nguyen, T.-V. T., Weinstein, N., & Ryan, R. M. (2022). Who enjoys solitude? autonomous functioning (but not introversion) predicts self-determined motivation (but not preference) for solitude. PLoS ONE, 17(5), Article e0267185. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0267185

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 4, 2022
• Online Publication Date: May 25, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022
• Deposit Date: Jul 28, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 28, 2022
• Journal: PLoS ONE
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 5
• Article Number: e0267185
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0267185
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1196760