A recent global study by Meta-Gallup, which included 142 nations, revealed worrying findings regarding loneliness among people aged 15 and older. Survey participants were asked, "How lonely do you feel?" to assess their emotional state.
A startling picture emerges from the data, as 24% of participants admitted to feeling "very" or "fairly" alone. Nevertheless, not all age groups shared these opinions equally. According to the Meta-Gallup survey, young people are disproportionately lonely. Unexpectedly, 27% of 19 to 29-year-olds felt very alone. Only 17% of 65-year-olds felt lonely, far lower than the younger group.
The Meta-Gallup survey found that many persons 45 and older experienced little loneliness. On the other hand, the majority of participants under the age of 45 reported feeling slightly, if not very, isolated.
A woman gloomily looks out from the steamed-up windows of a bus as incessant rain continues to fall on July 29, 2009, in Walsall, United Kingdom.
Loneliness Knows No Age
While there have been many studies on the consequences of loneliness and social isolation in elderly individuals, Gallup senior research consultant Ellyn Maese said that this survey underscores that loneliness affects all ages.
In addition, the poll found no variation in reported degrees of loneliness depending on gender. Nonetheless, significant disparities in the prevalence of loneliness were noted across other nations, mostly attributed to cultural elements. Overall, 79 of the 142 countries had a higher rate of women reporting being lonely than men.
The June 2022-February 2023 Meta-Gallup survey consisted of phone interviews and in-person surveys with 1,000 respondents per country. The combined adult population of the examined nations represents about 77% of the world's total population, according to 10 News.
Furthermore, the poll highlighted the risks associated with loneliness, confirming worries expressed in a World Health Organization report from December 2020 and a May recommendation from the US surgeon general. These concerns underscore loneliness's negative consequences on physical and emotional health, which may lead to early mortality.
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How to Beat Loneliness
Even though loneliness has significantly diminished since the COVID-19 pandemic's peak, 49% of respondents believe that loneliness continues to be a major concern. Prominent government agencies and representatives, such as the US Surgeon General, have acknowledged loneliness as a serious problem. The surgeon general called loneliness the nation's latest epidemic, linking it to cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and early mortality.
According to Psychology Today, breaking the stigma associated with loneliness is an important step towards solving this widespread problem. People struggling with loneliness may overcome negative emotions by rejecting the idea that it shows personal deficiency. Furthermore, challenging the notion that lonely people are social liabilities whose seclusion is well-earned and contagious inspires communities to provide assistance.
"Human beings need social connections to thrive, and being embedded in strong supportive networks can protect our wellbeing when we're faced with difficulties in life," according to Dr. Olivia Remes, a mental health researcher at Cambridge University in the UK, as quoted by CNN.
Though social media is a great tool for socializing, Remes warned that "passive scrolling" might be hazardous. She said the practice was comparing others' pleasant postings to one's own. Remes advised publishing a status update or photo, commenting on friends' posts, or sending private messages.
To overcome loneliness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises striking up talks with friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues. It also recommends helping in the neighborhood and taking up common interests with like-minded people. Most importantly, the CDC recommends those who struggle with social isolation to practice self-compassion.
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