Loneliness Matters?

Written by Philmon Lim, Heartscape Psychology Intern

Loneliness and social isolation are increasingly recognised as significant public health issues with serious implications for mental health. While related, loneliness is the subjective feeling of being alone, whereas social isolation refers to the lack of social contacts (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015). Both have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a rise in mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Research shows that chronic loneliness significantly increases the risk of mental health disorders, particularly depression and anxiety (Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2018). Social isolation, on the other hand, has been linked to cognitive decline and a heightened risk of dementia, especially in older adults (Livingston et al., 2020). The negative impact of these factors is due to complex interactions between biological, psychological, and social processes, including stress response dysregulation and increased inflammation (Hawkley & Cacioppo, 2010).

In response to these challenges, mental health services are increasingly focusing on interventions that promote social connectivity. Teletherapy and online support groups have become vital tools during the pandemic, providing isolated individuals with opportunities to connect with others (Wind et al., 2020). Additionally, community-based programs that encourage social engagement are being implemented more widely, especially for vulnerable populations like the elderly.

Integrating loneliness screening into routine mental health assessments is also gaining traction as a strategy to identify at-risk individuals early. By addressing loneliness and social isolation proactively, mental health services can help reduce the long-term health consequences associated with these issues.

Reach out to us today and start addressing your mental health with us!

References

Cacioppo, S., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2018). Loneliness in the modern age: An evolutionary theory of loneliness (ETL). Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 58, 127-197. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.aesp.2018.03.003

Hawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2010). Loneliness matters: A theoretical and empirical review of consequences and mechanisms. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 40(2), 218-227. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-010-9210-8

Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., Baker, M., Harris, T., & Stephenson, D. (2015). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: A meta-analytic review. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(2), 227-237. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691614568352

Livingston, G., et al. (2020). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. The Lancet, 396(10248), 413-446. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30367-6

Wind, T. R., Rijkeboer, M., Andersson, G., & Riper, H. (2020). The COVID-19 pandemic: The ‘black swan’ for mental health care and a turning point for e-health. Internet Interventions, 20, 100317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2020.100317