Many friends, but empty inside
A new large-scale study distinguishes between subjective loneliness and social isolation, pointing to serious consequences that emotional loneliness can have. Based on data from 500,000 participants in the UK Biobank and using triangulation methods, scientists discovered that emotional loneliness is a direct factor that can lead to depression, increase the risk of self-harm and suicide, as well as provoke multimorbidity. At the same time, social isolation, which is defined by the number and frequency of contacts with people, mainly influences life satisfaction.
According to the World Health Organization, one in six people worldwide suffers from loneliness. The researchers who conducted this study analyzed the health, lifestyle, and genetic data of participants, including comparing siblings who were raised together, which allowed for more accurate results. Loneliness in this context is defined as a state of deep distress due to a lack of emotional closeness and connection.
The impact of emotional loneliness
It turns out that the feeling of loneliness is a direct factor in depression, risk of self-harm, suicide attempts, and multimorbidity. Interestingly, depression can amplify feelings of loneliness, creating a closed psychological loop. At the same time, the researchers found no direct evidence that loneliness or isolation causes cardiovascular diseases such as ischemic heart disease, stroke, heart failure, or type 2 diabetes.
The sample of study participants predominantly consisted of middle-aged and older individuals of European descent. Isolation was measured by household size and the frequency of visits from relatives or friends, excluding workplace contacts or interest group interactions. The authors of the study emphasize that to overcome loneliness, it is important to work on the quality of relationships rather than just increase the number of contacts.
These results may be significant for understanding the impact of loneliness on people's health and for developing strategies aimed at improving emotional well-being.
The study highlights the importance of emotional connections in people's lives, especially in today's social environment, where the number of contacts is not always related to the quality of relationships.
Understanding the difference between emotional loneliness and social isolation can help professionals in the fields of psychology and health care develop effective methods of support for those suffering from loneliness and enhance their overall well-being.
Understanding the complex interplay between emotional states and brain function is crucial, especially as recent findings reveal that depression can hinder the formation of new neurons. This highlights the importance of addressing emotional loneliness not only for mental health but also for overall cognitive well-being.