Loneliness: The Silent Killer Impacting Our Health
Loneliness is more than just a feeling of isolation – it can have serious consequences on our physical health. A recent study led by researchers at Penn State College of Health and Human Development and Center for Healthy Aging delved deep into the effects of loneliness on our well-being, shedding light on the detrimental impact it can have on both our short- and long-term health. This study not only provides valuable insights into the complexities of loneliness but also aligns with the 2023 statement by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, highlighting loneliness and isolation as a growing public health crisis.
Published in the esteemed journal Health Psychology, this research underscores the importance of raising awareness about the different facets of loneliness, especially during Loneliness Awareness Week observed from June 10-16. The long-term implications of loneliness are staggering, with studies showing a 29% increased risk of heart disease, a 32% increased risk of stroke, and a 50% increased risk of developing dementia in older adults. Beyond these physical health risks, individuals who often feel lonely are also more susceptible to mental health challenges like depression.
In their study, the researchers found that even individuals who don’t typically consider themselves as lonely or experience chronic loneliness can suffer adverse health effects from occasional bouts of loneliness or fluctuations in their feelings of isolation. These transient moments of loneliness can manifest in physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and nausea, impacting daily well-being.
The study encompassed 1,538 participants in the National Study of Daily Experiences (NSDE), a subset of the MacArthur Foundation Survey of Midlife in the United States. Led by David Almeida, a professor of human development and family studies at Penn State, the research focused on examining loneliness in midlife, analyzing data from individuals aged 35 to 65. This study sought to fill a gap in existing research, which has predominantly concentrated on loneliness in adolescents and older adults.
Participants in the NSDE engaged in phone interviews over eight consecutive days, reporting daily stress levels, mood fluctuations, and moments of loneliness. They were also asked to detail any physical symptoms they experienced, such as fatigue and headaches. These assessments were repeated a decade apart, providing valuable longitudinal data for the researchers.
The findings revealed that on days when participants experienced lower levels of loneliness than their average, they reported fewer and less severe physical health symptoms. Moreover, individuals who maintained a stable level of loneliness across the eight days exhibited milder physical health issues. This suggests that the day-to-day fluctuations in loneliness play a significant role in influencing our health.
“Understanding the daily dynamics of loneliness is crucial in addressing its health effects,” stated Almeida. “Enhancing social connections, even for a single day, can result in reduced health symptoms. This daily focus offers a practical and optimistic intervention for individuals grappling with loneliness.”
Lead author Dakota Witzel, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Center for Healthy Aging, emphasized the importance of acknowledging transient feelings of loneliness. While chronic loneliness contributes to long-term health concerns, temporary instances of loneliness can lead to short-term negative health outcomes.
Witzel elaborated, “Many studies treat loneliness as a binary state – you’re either lonely or not. Yet, in our daily lives, we experience fluctuations in loneliness. By understanding these variations, we can grasp how they impact our daily and long-term well-being.”
Contributors to this research include Karina Van Bogart, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Biobehavioral Health at Penn State; Erin Harrington, an assistant professor at the University of Wyoming; and Shelbie Turner, a postdoctoral fellow at Weill Cornell Medicine in the Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine.
This research was supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health, underscoring the critical importance of studying loneliness and its effects on health.
