The article presents a study of the cognitive and affective aspects of young people's representations about loneliness. Loneliness is considered by young people as a resourceful state, mainly positive, temporary and useful. The main attention participants pay to the physical aspect of loneliness, considering it as a period of rest or temporary isolation. The main emotional components of the experience of loneliness in early adulthood were analyzed. It was found that young people in a state of loneliness often feel calm and peace, have a sense of unity, relaxation and comfort. The negative emotional experiences associated with loneliness include sadness, a sense of uselessness and discomfort. The article also presents the results of an analysis of gender differences of cognitive and affective aspects of young adults' loneliness representations.