Editing Solitude (section)

==Psychological effects==
[[File:חסיד מתבודד.jpg|thumb|left|[[Breslov (Hasidic group)|Breslover]] [[Hasid]] practicing [[hitbodedut]].]]
There are both positive and negative psychological effects of solitude. Much of the time, these effects and the longevity is determined by the amount of time a person spends in [[Solitary confinement|isolation]].<ref name="first">{{cite web|url=http://www.uplink.com.au/lawlibrary/Documents/Docs/Doc82.html |author=Bartol, C.R. & Bartol, A.M. |year=1994 |title=Psychology and Law: Research and Application (2nd ed.) |publisher=Pacific Grove |location=CA: Brooks/Cole |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130075821/http://www.uplink.com.au/lawlibrary/Documents/Docs/Doc82.html |archive-date=November 30, 2011 }}</ref> The positive effects can range anywhere from more [[free will|freedom]] to increased [[spirituality]],<ref name="second">Long, Christopher R. and Averill, James R. “Solitude: An Exploration of the Benefits of Being Alone.” ''Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour'' 33:1 (2003): 30 September 2011.</ref> while the negative effects are socially depriving and may trigger the onset of [[mental illness]].<ref name="third">Kupers, Terry A. “What To Do With the Survivors? Coping With the Long-Term Effects of Isolated Confinement”. ''Criminal Justice and Behavior'' 35.8 (2008): 30 September 2011.</ref> While positive solitude is often desired, negative solitude is often involuntary or undesired at the time it occurs.<ref name="fourth">{{cite journal |last1=Long |first1=Christopher R. |first2=Mary |last2=Seburn |first3=James R. |last3=Averill |first4=Thomas A. |last4=More |title=Solitude Experiences: Varieties, Settings, and Individual Differences |journal=Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin |url=http://psp.sagepub.com/ |publisher=Sage Publications |date=5 September 2002 |volume=29 |issue=5 |pages=578–683 |doi=10.1177/0146167203029005003 |pmid=15272992 |s2cid=16487168 |access-date=28 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204075502/http://psp.sagepub.com/ |archive-date=4 December 2011 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

===Positive effects===
Freedom is considered to be one of the benefits of solitude; the constraints of others will not have any effect on a person who is spending time in solitude, therefore giving the person more latitude in their actions. With increased freedom, a person’s choices are less likely to be affected by exchanges with others.<ref name="second"/>

A person's [[creativity]] can be sparked when given freedom. Solitude can increase freedom and moreover, freedom from distractions has the potential to spark creativity. In 1994, psychologist [[Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi]] found that adolescents who cannot bear to be alone often stop enhancing creative talents.<ref name="second"/>

Another proven benefit to time given in solitude is the development of the self. When a person spends time in solitude from others, they may experience changes to their self-concept. This can also help a person to form or discover their identity without any outside distractions. Solitude also provides time for contemplation, growth in personal spirituality, and self-examination. In these situations, loneliness can be avoided as long as the person in solitude knows that they have meaningful relations with others.<ref name="second"/>

===Negative effects===
Negative effects have been observed in prisoners. The behavior of prisoners who spend extensive time in solitude may worsen.<ref name="third"/> Solitude can trigger physiological responses that increase health risks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.psypost.org/2015/11/loneliness-triggers-cellular-changes-that-can-cause-illness-study-shows-39407|title=Loneliness triggers cellular changes that can cause illness, study shows|website=PsyPost|date=24 November 2015 |language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-03|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601175404/http://www.psypost.org/2015/11/loneliness-triggers-cellular-changes-that-can-cause-illness-study-shows-39407|archive-date=2016-06-01}}</ref>

Negative effects of solitude may also depend on age. Elementary age school children who experience frequent solitude may react negatively.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Larson|first=R. W.|date=1997-02-01|title=The emergence of solitude as a constructive domain of experience in early adolescence|journal=Child Development|volume=68|issue=1|pages=80–93|issn=0009-3920|pmid=9084127|doi=10.2307/1131927|jstor=1131927}}</ref> This is largely because often, solitude at this age is not the child's choice. Solitude in elementary-age children may occur when they are unsure of how to interact socially, so they prefer to be alone, causing shyness or [[social rejection]].

While teenagers are more likely to feel lonely or unhappy when not around others, they are also more likely to have a more enjoyable experience with others if they have had time alone first. However, teenagers who frequently spend time alone do not have as good a global adjustment as those who balance their time of solitude with their time of socialization.<ref name=":0" />