Loneliness has long been understood as a part of the human condition, however, its ability to be measured remains a struggle, much due to its subjective nature and many complexities. As loneliness has recently been highlighted as a global health concern in need of intervention, an accurate measurement of the phenomenon is perhaps more crucial than ever. This study aims to give an in-depth understanding of loneliness, in particular how it pertains to a practical tool of measurement. The text discusses limitations of previous measurements and analyzes which areas of loneliness still remain to be underrepresented in established measuring scales. To reach the goal of the study and find the best way to measure loneliness, we implemented our own loneliness scale using both questions from established questionnaires as well as our own formulated questions. Three distinct categories within loneliness emerged- social networks, actual loneliness and experienced belonging. These, along with relevant descriptive factors of the participants, were used to measure loneliness. The final measurement scale was shared in the form of an online questionnaire to a total of 479 participants. The results showed all categories to be distinct aspects of all significant to one another and in the measurement of loneliness as a whole. Both socioeconomic, participants origin, as well as age-related factors also proved to be relevant in measuring loneliness but they did not have the same predictive strength as the main three variables. Furthermore, this scale included previously underrepresented questions which aimed to distinguish trait and state loneliness and situational loneliness-triggers. These all proved significant in the wider category of experienced belonging but did not warrant a distinct category of its own. The final loneliness scale measures both more subjective and qeualitative as well as objective and quantitative aspects of loneliness. As the measurement showed good internal consistency, it can be considered a valid and reliable tool to gain an in-depth understanding of loneliness.

Bakgrunden till studien är dels att förstå vilken betydelse känslan av delaktighet har för ungdomar, dels hur fritidsverksamheter kan utgöra en social arena som främjar delaktighet hos ungdomar. Jag vill få kunskap om fritidsgården kan vara en accepterande miljö där fler ungdomar kan känna gemenskap samt vilken roll fritidsledare och deras samverkan med andra aktörer har i arbetet med att få fler ungdomar att känna delaktighet. Syftet med studien är att beskriva och analysera vilken betydelse de kommunala fritidsgårdarna som mötesplats har för att främja delaktighet och motverka utanförskap bland ungdomar.Jag har genomfört en mikroetnografisk studie där jag i min empiriska del använt mig av en kombination av intervjuer samt deltagande observationer på en fritidsgård på en mindre ort. Detta i syfte att fånga upp karaktäriseringar som skulle kunna visa fritidsgårdens betydelse som en gränslandsarena. Med hjälp av ett sociokulturellt perspektiv samt Erving Goffmansdramaturgi har jag beskrivit begreppet delaktighet och har tillsammans med studiens empiri och tidigare forskning växt fram till en analys och ett resultat. Resultatet i studien visar att fritidsgården har möjlighet till att vara en arena för delaktighet, men att de måste ha viss struktur och innehåll för att kunna gynna ungdomarna. Vidare visar den vilken betydelse fritidsledaren har i arbetet med ungdomar, relationen mellan dem är den största faktorn till om ungdomen kan känna delaktighet. Samverkan mellan aktörer i ungdomarnas vardag kan vara en möjlighet till att fler ungdomar fångas upp, särskilt utmärkande för att samverkan ska fungera är god kommunikation och tydlig rollfördelning. / The background to the study is to understand the importance of the sense of belonging is for young people, and how leisure activities can constitute a social arena that promotes social inclusion of adolescents. I want to gain knowledge of the recreation center and if it can be an accepting environment where more young people can feel solidarity. And also what the recreationleader and their interaction with other actors can manage in the process of getting more young people to feel involved.The purpose of the study is to describe and analyze the significance of the recreation centers have to promote social inclusion and work against social exclusion among young people. I have made an ethnographic study in which I used a combination of interviews and participant observations at a recreation center in a small town, in order to capture characterizations that would demonstrate leisure's importance as a transitional arena. With the help of a socio-cultural perspective, and Erving Goffman's dramaturgy I have explained the concept of participation and, together with the study's empirical data and previous research evolved into an analysis and result. The result of the study shows that the recreation center has a chance to be an arena for social inclusion, but they need to have a specific structure and contents in order to benefit young people. Furthermore, on the importance of leadership is in work with young people, the relationship between them is the main factors for youth to feel social inclusion. Cooperation between the recreationleader and other actors who works with young people can together help more adolscents, by a holistic perspective on the adolscents everydaylife.