Who are the lonely people in America?
American men were told “Decline in friendship“One survey found that the number of men without close friends has increased fivefold since 1990. Meanwhile, Comment resurrected Complaints from Republican vice-presidential nominee Sen. J.D. Vance that the government is being run by “childless cat ladies” who are unhappy they don’t have children have sparked widespread condemnation. throughout D The political spectrum. Last year, the US Surgeon General Dr published a sermon Underlines the seriousness of loneliness and isolation. Although long-term data on loneliness is lacking, recent studies have shown that increases in Loneliness which precedes the epidemic.
But the answers to who suffers from loneliness — and the solutions to this complex social problem — aren’t as straightforward as you might think.
Loneliness is more than just isolation: it’s the subjective experience of wanting more social interaction than you currently have. It’s not binary, and no one is immune. Loneliness exists on a continuum, he said Julian Holt-LunstadProfessor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Brigham Young University. Most people experience loneliness at some point in their lives, and labeling people as lonely can be stigmatizing. “It can make you feel bad about yourself and then make you less likely to socialize with others [out of] Fear of rejection,” says Holt-Lunstad, “but that can then affect how you perceive the world and social situations, which can lead to a negative spiral.”
Chronic loneliness has serious negative physical and psychological effects: Loneliness is just one Health risk factors As smoking (compared to one of Holt-Lunstad’s most publicized findings Lack of social connection with smoking 15 cigarettes a day) and alcohol consumption; it has negative effects on cardiovascular and brain health, and may Linked an increased risk depression.
Rather than pinpointing specific populations as unequivocally lonely, understanding what increases someone’s risk of loneliness can help address it at the population level.
No one is free from loneliness
Classic stereotypes of loneliness—such as single women or older people—fail to capture the myriad experiences that contribute to loneliness. Life circumstances have a greater impact on loneliness than other demographic categories. Study there is found Levels of self-reported loneliness fall in early adulthood, middle life, and rise again in late life. A 2024 American Psychiatric Association survey found this 30 percent are American 18- to 34-year-olds said they were lonely at least a few times a week. A 2023 University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging found that 37 percent of US adults Those aged 50 to 80 reported a lack of companionship over the past year.
Significant life changes occur during emerging adulthood and old age that account for high levels of loneliness. As young adults graduate from college, move to new cities, start their careers and establish their lives, there is a natural end to relationships, says Eileen Grahamis an associate professor of medical social sciences at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, who co-authored a recent study that found loneliness peaks in young adulthood and old age.
Most people experience loneliness at some point in their lives, and labeling people as lonely can be stigmatizing
Young adults are more likely to have low incomes; A 2023 Gallup poll also found those household incomes Less than $24,000 a year Says they are lonelier than higher earners. As these young adults form friendships and romantic partnerships, marry and start families, there are more opportunities for social interaction. With retirement age, people’s social networks begin to erode again: children move out of the home, older adults lose contact with peers after leaving the workforce, chronic health conditions may limit the ability to get out of the home, and loved ones die.
Other studies It has been found that infrequent contact with family, friends and neighbors can lead to higher levels of loneliness in young adulthood and midlife. Having a local support network helps alleviate loneliness for older adults.
Although gender has perhaps received the most attention for its association with loneliness, it is not as straightforward an indicator of a lack of social connection as you might think. In her research, Graham found that women reported higher levels of loneliness than men. A 2021 Cigna and Morning Consult survey found this Same number of men and women They were lonely; A 2019 meta-analysis reported similar results—reported by men and women Equal levels of loneliness throughout their lives. Following the pandemic, men experienced a greater dropoff in their friendship circles than women, with 15 percent reporting No close friendswhich may exist Contributes to a narrative about a uniquely male loneliness crisis. However, just because men are physically isolated does not mean they are more lonely.
Similarly, marital status is an imperfect predictor of lack of satisfactory social connections. when married associated with A The risk of death is low, Married people may feel lonely When they don’t get emotional support from their spouses, a 2009 study found. Poor-quality romantic relationships can actually be detrimental to well-being, says Holt-Lunstad.
Parenthood can be an equally isolating phase of life. almost Two-thirds of parents and guardians According to the Cigna/Morning Consult survey, more than half of non-parents feel lonely. Single parents and mothers are more likely to experience loneliness, study finds. More than half of the mothers are with young children According to a 2021 Harvard report, experience severe loneliness. However, a child’s life stage can affect parental loneliness. The newborn stage can be isolating for parents, while adult children can be a source of friendship and support.
Those who live alone do Propensity to report High levels of loneliness, Research “But those same people tend to look for other sources of social interaction,” Graham says. “So because you’re single, if you’re not married or you don’t have kids at home, people often want to find social situations that would be considered traditional, baked-in sources of contact with others. People.” Alternatively, married people with children and a rich social life are not immune to loneliness.
Physical and mental health also contribute to feeling socially connected. Mental health conditions, such as anxiety, substance abuse disorders, depression, and suicidal ideation has been connected Loneliness. regardless of age, have a physical disability A risk factor for loneliness. “Those with more functional limitations, making it harder to get out of the house,” says Graham, “and those with more chronic conditions, also come with age, but we find that all of these factors are associated with higher levels of persistent loneliness.” .”
Loneliness is a wake-up call, a signal to seek social interaction
Another major contributor to loneliness is social marginalization. A Cigna/Morning Consult poll found that 75 percent of Hispanic adults and 68 percent of black adults considered lonely, compared to 58 percent of the general adult population. Fewer Black, Hispanic, and Asian adults reported having one Strong social support system Compared to white adults, according to the 2023 KFF Racism, Discrimination, and Health Survey. The study also found that LGBT adults are almost twice as likely to experience loneliness as non-LGBT adults. An analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that more than half of bisexual and transgender adults in 26 states Report feeling lonely. “What the data indicate is that there is variability within this classification in terms of sexual orientation and identity as well as race and ethnicity,” says Holt-Lunstad.
How to deal with loneliness
Because loneliness can affect everyone, we shouldn’t look to eliminate the experience entirely, says Holt-Lunstad. Loneliness is a wake-up call, a signal to seek social interaction. Without that alarm, we would have dried up in isolation. Paying attention to our social needs and recognizing when we lack support and connection are the first steps in dealing with loneliness.
Once you recognize that you’re feeling lonely, try to identify what kind of social interaction you crave: heart-to-heart with a close friend? Mingling an evening with acquaintances at a party? Maybe it’s just to observe strangers in a crowded bar.
Research has shown that people are happiest when they interact with a variety of people, from family members and best friends to co-workers and strangers. Try to talk to as many different types of people as possible, says Holt-Lunstad. other Research suggests Face-to-face, meaningful conversations with someone you love help alleviate loneliness.
Because everyone has different social needs — one person may need constant connection to not feel lonely while another is content with a daily phone call with a friend — we need to support our loved ones whenever possible, Graham says. It reaches out to those who may be at the highest risk for loneliness, whether it’s a neighbor who lives alone or a single parent. “Knowing there’s someone there can be enough to alleviate any potential loneliness,” she says. “You have to know your people.”
