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

Authors

• Hannah Rachael Slack, Kings College London
• Nicola Byrom, Kings College London
• Chloe Bate, University of Glasgow
• Aleksandra Hościłowicz, Kings College London
• Sophie Homer, School of Psychology
• Delia Fuhrmann, Kings College London
• Juliet Foster, Kings College London
• Sarah Crook, Swansea University
• Emily Long, University of Glasgow

ORCID

• Sophie Homer: 0000-0002-1825-5533

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Background: Loneliness 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. Objective: This study examined retrospectively recalled changes in network composition and structure across the transition to university and explored associations with loneliness. Methods: We 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. Results: Participants 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). Conclusion: This 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.

DOI Link

10.1002/jad.70249

Publication Date

2026-10-07

Publication Title

Journal of Adolescence

Volume

98

Issue

7

ISSN

0140-1971

Acceptance Date

2026-07-28

Deposit Date

2026-11-02

Additional Links

https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105046727016

Keywords

higher education, loneliness, social network, students, university

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

First Page

2665

Last Page

2676

Recommended Citation

Slack, H., Byrom, N., Bate, C., Hościłowicz, A., Homer, S., Fuhrmann, D., Foster, J., Crook, S., & Long, E. (2026) 'From Familiar Faces to New Spaces: Perceived Social Network Change and Its Association With Loneliness During the Transition to University', Journal of Adolescence, 98(7), pp. 2665-2676. Available at: 10.1002/jad.70249