From Familiar Faces to New Spaces: Perceived Social Network Change and Its Association With Loneliness During the Transition to University.

backgroundLoneliness among young people is a growing concern, and life transitions can create significant upheaval in social networks. The scale of these changes and their association with loneliness remains underexplored.

objectiveThis study examined retrospectively recalled changes in network composition and structure across the transition to university and explored associations with loneliness.

methodsWe used social network interviews to assess 79 first-year students' networks before and after starting university, measuring loneliness post-transition; 77% of the sample were 18-21 years and 72% were female.

resultsParticipants recalled substantial change in their network (network churn); on average 58% of social connections were gained or lost. Network change was normal and widespread. Networks became larger, less dense, more geographically dispersed, less emotionally close, more heterogeneous in composition, while perceived support remained broadly stable at population level. Greater loneliness was associated with perceived reductions in network support (B = -1.03, SE = 0.48) and greater ethnic heterogeneity within social networks (B = 1.26, SE = 0.41).

conclusionThis study highlights the substantial social restructuring that accompanies the transition to university. Young people reported marked changes in their social networks, characterized by expansion, diversification, and considerable network churn, suggesting that university entry represents a distinctive developmental transition requiring adaptation to new social environments.