Aim of the study:
The study aimed to investigate the relationships between loneliness, psychopathological symptoms, and lifestyle factors among Polish adolescents, with particular attention to potential features resembling the phenomenon of hikikomori described in East Asia.

Subject or material and methods:
The study included 500 adolescents aged 13-18 years from primary and secondary schools across Poland. Standardized psychometric tools were used: UCLA-3 Loneliness Scale, WHO-5 Well-Being Index, DASS-21, and WHOQoL-BREF. Additionally, a custom questionnaire assessed lifestyle indicators such as screen time, outdoor activity, and peer interactions. Statistical analyses were conducted using t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficients.

Results:
The participants demonstrated moderate levels of loneliness, with higher scores observed among girls and older adolescents. Loneliness showed positive correlations with depression (r = 0.40), anxiety (r = 0.33), and stress (r = 0.26), while negative associations were found with well-being (r = -0.45) and quality of life, especially in the social domain. High loneliness was linked to increased use of electronic devices (r = 0.22), but not to outdoor activity or peer interactions.

Discussion:
Loneliness among Polish adolescents showed moderate prevalence, increasing with age and higher in girls. It correlated with depression, anxiety, stress, and excessive screen use, reducing well-being. Findings highlight loneliness’s psychological significance and cultural relevance.

Conclusions:
Loneliness among Polish adolescents is closely related to psychological distress and reduced well-being, with gender and age serving as important moderating factors. The findings suggest that certain features resembling hikikomori may emerge in the Polish context, particularly in connection with digital lifestyles. Preventive measures should address loneliness, technology dependence, and adolescent mental health.