The science of loneliness

Loneliness is an issue that has received significant attention from both media and public health campaigns. Recent research suggests that well-meaning efforts to raise awareness about loneliness may worsen the problem.

Specifically, these campaigns might shape how people think about being alone in ways that fuel loneliness rather than ease it.

Contrary to popular belief, being alone isn't inherently harmful. The key factor appears to be how people perceive solitude.

Social isolation, on the other hand, is the state of having few or no social interactions. That leads to a lack of meaningful connections or support and has been shown to have significant harm to health.

The impact of media on beliefs about solitude
The media has played a significant role in shaping how people view solitude. Studies show that media portrayals often emphasize the harmful effects of being alone, reinforcing negative beliefs about solitary experiences.

Research shows that U.S. news articles are far more likely to describe being alone as harmful than beneficial. This consistent one-sided portrayal of solitude as dangerous can influence individuals' beliefs about being alone, even with brief exposure to such messaging.

These beliefs, in turn, shape how people feel when they spend time alone. Studies reveal that people who view solitude negatively experience a significant rise in loneliness after spending time alone.

On the other hand, those who believe solitude can be positive tend to feel less lonely when being by themselves. This suggests that people’s beliefs about being alone are crucial to understanding how they experience it.

To explore whether these findings apply globally, researchers conducted studies across different countries. The results indicated that beliefs about being alone and their effects on loneliness are universal and consistent across cultures.

Why is it problematic to make people feel more lonely?
Compared to the feeling of blissful silence in solitude, feeling lonely raises the risks of cardiovascular disease, mental health disorders, and chronic inflammation.

The negative impact of social isolation is even more substantial, with its harmful effects considered comparable to those of smoking or obesity.

For cancer patients, social isolation is linked to poorer outcomes and higher mortality rates due to complex biological mechanisms involving stress, immune responses, and changes in brain function.

Studies have shown that social isolation affects the brain's stress regulation and social behavior centers, which are involved in mediating the negative effects on health.

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Loneliness and social isolation are deeply unpleasant experiences and harmful to our health, so it’s essential to address them.

However, tackling the issue in ways that don’t make people feel even more lonely is crucial. The media have an important role in ensuring this message is communicated thoughtfully.

About the scientific paper:

First author: Micaela Rodriguez, USA
Published: Nature Communications, February 2025
Link to paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-56764-3