Written by Jacob Liu | Edited by Mehr Bawa and Danica Kwan
Photo by Lukas Rychvalsky
If absence makes the heart grow fonder, what else might loneliness be doing to human bodies and brains? Life in the 21st century is unlike life throughout human history as people are leading longer and safer lives, interconnected now more than ever through the internet. As people connect in more non-traditional ways, such as digitally rather than in person, the prevalence of loneliness has risen from an estimated 11-17% in the general population during the 1970s to over 40% in adults today [1]. For those growing up in this modern age, loneliness is reportedly prevalent at an all-time high, reaching 80% in those under 18 years old; these values have likely been exacerbated by pandemic protocols and conditions [2]. Loneliness, described as perceived social isolation, differs from being alone. While being alone may offer a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of life, being lonely manifests in physically negative ways that can lead to long-term health detriments.
The perception of loneliness as social isolation activates the body’s stress mechanisms on both a neural and hormonal level. Due to this, loneliness simulates the increasing sensation of a threat, which leads to persistent feelings of anxiety and hostility, which can disrupt sleep patterns [3]. As the body becomes fatigued and worn down, impulse control breaks down while negative depressive symptoms arise. As such, continual feelings of loneliness can result in cognitive deterioration, leaving individuals with an increased risk for dementia and twice the risk for Alzheimer’s disease [4]. Research has found that loneliness is significantly linked to a multitude of disorders, including dementia, depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, as well as a 45% increased risk of early death [5]. Additionally, loneliness manifests physically as cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes, cancer, and a variety of other chronic illnesses that decrease quality of life [6].
As research has uncovered the detriments of loneliness on human health, scientists have been working to categorize and quantify loneliness in order to better understand its impact on particularly vulnerable groups. Situational loneliness is categorized by socioeconomic and cultural factors; developmental loneliness is defined as the desire for intimacy with others; and internal loneliness is based on one’s own perception, self-esteem, and self-worth [7]. These types of loneliness are being quantified by the Meta-Analytic Study of Loneliness (MASLO), according to major circulating qualitative questionnaires from the University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, the Children’s Loneliness Scale, the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults, the Loneliness and Aloneness Scale for Children and Adolescents among others. With the MASLO database, researchers hope to better model and analyze the prevalence of loneliness in at-risk groups, including adults older than 65 years of age, immigrants, and LGBT populations. Researchers also aim to chart incidence rates in response to world events, such as the pandemic, in order to direct public policy in mitigating consequential social isolation [8]. By improving the collection of data on loneliness, scientists hope to establish a more comprehensive model to address the prevalence of loneliness as a determinant risk factor for human health. Thus, by taking into account various situational and cultural aspects, developmental influences, and personal perspectives of lonely individuals, the goal of future research is to be more inclusive in mitigating loneliness to ensure that scientific developments don’t leave anybody behind.
References:
7. Tiwari, S.C. (2013). Loneliness: A disease?. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 55:4 320-322.8. Maes, M. Qualter, P., Lodder, G.M.A., Mund, M. (2022). How (Not) to Measure Loneliness: A Review of the Eight Most Commonly Used Scales. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19:17 10816.