Study: Loneliness and Social Isolation Linked to Serious Health Outcomes

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Numerous studies have found a link between social isolation, feelings of loneliness, and the risk of early death, but some results have been controversial or mixed, according to a paper published in the journal "Nature Human Behavior" on Monday. Turhan Kanli, a professor of integrative neuroscience in the psychology department at Stony Brook University in New York, who was not involved in the study, stated that these conflicting results may be due to research focusing only on a specific group or area.

The new research paper is a meta-analysis of 90 studies examining the links between loneliness, social isolation, and early death among more than two million adults. Participants in the study were followed for periods ranging from six months to 25 years.

Individuals who experienced social isolation were 32% more likely to die early from any cause compared to those who did not experience social isolation. Participants who reported feeling lonely were 14% more likely to die early compared to those who did not report such feelings.

Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University in Utah, and the lead scientist in the recent advisory report on public health related to social isolation and loneliness, who did not participate in the study, stated that the research highlights the impact of social isolation and loneliness on early death. The new study defined social isolation as when a person suffers from an objective lack of contact with other people, which can involve having a limited network around them or living alone.

On the other hand, loneliness is defined as the feeling of distress when there is a discrepancy between the quality of social relationships and what an individual aspires to, according to the meta-analysis. Regarding this matter, Anthony Ong, a professor of psychology and director of the Center for Integrative Developmental Sciences and Human Health Laboratories at Cornell University in New York, who was not involved in the research, stated that a person in this situation may feel that their relationships are unsatisfactory if their needs for connection or intimacy are not being met.

Holt Lonstad pointed out that "Americans are spending more time in isolation, yet we do not consider this to be a danger, especially if it is their choice," explaining that "people assume it is okay, and perhaps even good for us to live in isolation if we do not feel lonely." The feeling of loneliness and isolation in the body. Canley stated that social isolation or loneliness can be considered a form of stress, noting that "we may all feel lonely from time to time, but when this feeling is persistent, it can serve as a form of chronic stress, which is unhealthy."

He continued that "one way this can happen is through stress hormones that negatively affect the body." Participants who were socially isolated and had cardiovascular disease were more likely to die early than those without the disease.

Additionally, individuals living in social isolation with breast cancer are more likely to die from the disease compared to those who are not socially isolated. Canley stated that dying early from any cause or due to cardiovascular disease may also be linked to people's lifestyle behaviors: "People who feel socially isolated or lonely tend to engage in unhealthy habits, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet, or little exercise."

Experts believe that several factors may contribute to social isolation, which has a stronger impact on the risk of early death than the feeling of loneliness. The study's lead author, Fan Wang, an epidemiology professor at Harbin Medical University in China, stated that "people who experience loneliness but are not socially isolated suffer from psychological stress, but they may have resilience due to their social networks," even if these networks are not exactly what someone wants.

Canley added that having a small social network, or little to no connection to the outside world, can reduce the likelihood of a person receiving medical care if they have no one to check on them. Ong, who was also among the scientists involved in the general surgery report, noted that "while this meta-analysis is important in providing supporting evidence for the harmful effects of social isolation and feelings of loneliness, there is an urgent need to go beyond questions about independent effects and consider their joint interactions."

He added that this additional study will pave the "way for deeper understanding and effective interventions." Expanding social connections, Wang explained that individuals suffering from social isolation and feelings of loneliness should strive diligently to seek social support.

Canley advised the necessity of thinking "about maintaining a social network like any other activity to promote health, such as exercising regularly, eating well, and taking care of yourself." He added that developing your social ties is a priority by not limiting it to just "greeting" someone during holidays or thinking of ways to engage in activities that may expose you to new circles of like-minded people.

Wang stated that developing interventions with the help of family members and community networks is crucial.