New Research Has Shown That While Loneliness Tampers Off To Its Lowest Levels During Middle Age, There Is A Consistent Uptick In Older Adulthood
Loneliness is a feeling that can impact anyone, no matter how old they are. But, recent research has shown that its prevalence actually increases with age.
Scientists at Northwestern University have uncovered a concerning trend of loneliness throughout adulthood. Through an extensive analysis spanning various longitudinal studies conducted globally, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, and Sweden, the team found a distinct “U-shaped” pattern.
The study showed that while feelings of loneliness are relatively common during young adulthood, they tend to diminish during middle age. Then, as individuals enter old age, loneliness resurges, reaching notably high levels.
These findings came after researchers delved into the lives of more than 25,000 adults, providing valuable insights into the trajectory of loneliness across the human lifespan.
“What was striking was how consistent the uptick in loneliness is in older adulthood. There’s a wealth of evidence that loneliness is related to poorer health, so we wanted to better understand who is lonely and why people are becoming lonelier as they age out of midlife so we can hopefully start finding ways to mitigate it,” explained Eileen Graham, the study’s lead author.
The team identified a distinct U-shaped trend in loneliness, peaking during early adulthood following the challenging transition from adolescence. Then, it declines to its lowest points during the middle age years – or when people are in their thirties, forties, and fifties.
But, as individuals enter their sixties, loneliness begins to resurge, gradually reaching its peak during the elderly years.
“Our study is unique because it harnessed the power of all these datasets to answer the same question: ‘How does loneliness change across the lifespan, and what factors contribute to becoming more or less lonely over time?'” Graham said.
When it comes to middle-aged adults, they may experience the lowest levels of loneliness due to the abundance of social interactions and stable relationships that are characteristic of this life stage.
LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
Typically, middle-aged individuals are married, have families, maintain regular employment, participate in their children’s activities, and engage with multiple social circles intertwined through their children’s school or workplace connections.
On the other hand, young adulthood – which starts right after turning 18 – often represents a period characterized by shifting friendship circles, new jobs, seeking romantic relationships, and experiencing a general sense of social upheaval as people transition into college or the professional realm.
Meanwhile, the elderly confront various factors that contribute to loneliness. These may include the loss of a spouse, having “empty nests” after children leave home, grieving the loss of friends, and the possible onset of disability or illness.
But, even though there were disparities across age groups, certain shared factors were found to consistently predict loneliness irrespective of age. These included social isolation, being divorced, widowed, or single, earning a lower income and having less education, dealing with disabilities or physical impairments, struggling with mental health disorders, and certain unhealthy habits, such as smoking.
As for why this study is significant: its findings have profound implications. Severe and persistent loneliness constitutes a grave public health concern. It is even linked to an elevated risk of premature mortality comparable to that of daily cigarette smoking, according to the U.S. Surgeon General.
So, Graham emphasized how the study’s results highlight the necessity for tailored interventions aimed at mitigating the social inequalities that contribute to loneliness across the adult lifespan. Additionally, the researchers expressed a desire for medical professionals to incorporate assessments of loneliness into routine wellness check-ups in the future.
Finally, given that the datasets analyzed for this study predate the COVID-19 pandemic, the research team speculates that present levels of loneliness could be even more pronounced due to the extended periods of isolation experienced by people around the globe.
To read the study’s complete findings, which have since been published in Psychological Science, visit the link here.
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