A meta-analysis has shown that loneliness and social isolation could increase the risk of premature death.
Loneliness and social isolation have been associated with a higher risk of early death, according to a comprehensive meta-analysis involving over 2 million adults, as reported in the journal Nature Human Behavior.
The study, published on Monday, aimed to address previous conflicting results by analyzing data from 90 studies conducted worldwide. The researchers followed participants for durations ranging from six months to 25 years.
The study found that individuals experiencing social isolation face a 32% greater risk of premature death from any cause when compared to their socially connected counterparts. Moreover, participants who reported feelings of loneliness were found to be 14% more likely to die prematurely compared to those who did not experience loneliness.
Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a psychology and neuroscience professor at Brigham Young University and lead scientist for the U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory report on social isolation and loneliness, commended the study. Though not involved in the meta-analysis, she told CNN that it provides further confidence regarding the significance of social isolation and loneliness as independent risk factors for premature death.
The analysis distinguished between social isolation and loneliness. Social isolation is defined as an objective lack of contact with others, which may involve having a limited social network or living alone. On the other hand, loneliness refers to the subjective distress arising from a perceived discrepancy between desired and actual social relationships.
Holt-Lunstad emphasized that despite the prevalent assumption that voluntary isolation is harmless or even beneficial, the findings confirmed and expanded on previous research, demonstrating the risks associated with social isolation irrespective of feelings of loneliness.
Turhan Canli, a professor of integrative neuroscience at Stony Brook…
Read the full article here
