Loneliness is public health issue linked to risk of early death, new study finds

A new survey found more than a quarter of respondents identified as feeling lonely during the first month of the pandemic.

The research, published this week in the journal Plos One by Jenny Groarke and colleagues of Queen’s University Belfast, investigates the intersection of loneliness with a number of social and health factors.

The online survey collected data from 1,964 participants between 23 March and 24 April 2020.

More than a quarter responded that they felt isolated and lacking in companionship.

The author of the study said the findings show young people, those with mental health symptoms, and socially isolated individuals should be prioritised in any interventions to reduce loneliness.

Factors related to their isolation included clinical depression, greater emotion regulation difficulties and poor-quality sleep due to the pandemic.

The study detailed “protective” factors that make loneliness less likely, including social support and being married or co-habiting.

Dr Groarke told The Independent: “Prior to the pandemic, loneliness levels were being described as ‘epidemic’. Loneliness is a significant public health concern because it is associated with worse physical and mental health, and increased risk of death.”

She added: “Across different studies loneliness has been associated with diabetes, hypertension, overweight and obesity, less physical activity and more doctor visits. ”

These findings are bolstered by other research on loneliness during the pandemic, particularly among younger adults.

A study by University College London, based on survey responses from 70,000 participants, found the age group 18–30 were most likely to be lonely.

Factors related to these figures were lack of hope in employment, securing independent living and a decent income.

In May, the Centre for Longitudinal Studies at University College London, carried out a survey of 18,000 people, finding loneliness most widespread among women in their 30s.

The longitudinal study had taken findings from the same pool of people every five years and found a significant increase in loneliness during lockdown.

Co-author, Professor Emla Fitzsimons, said: “This change in mental health between age 25 and 30 will reflect change that may naturally occur at this stage of life, as well as change attributable to the pandemic.”

She added: “However, this finding chimes with other studies which have also shown that young women have experienced the largest increase in mental health problems due to Covid-19.”

These findings are echoed in new research by Lisa Spantig and Ben Etheridge, economists at the Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex, which found 34 per cent of women reported feeling lonely.

Among the mental side effects, there are numerous health effects to loneliness. During the pandemic, research by The Global Drug Survey found 27 per cent of Britons were drinking more because they felt lonely and subsequently were at a higher health risk.

A further study from King’s College London, released last week, was the first to find a link between loneliness and type 2 diabetes. Using data from 4,000 people, the longitudinal study found after 12 years, 264 participants had developed type 2 diabetes.

They found the level of loneliness individuals were experiencing at the start of the study was a significant precursor to developing diabetes.

Dr Ruth Hackett, author of the study, told The Independent: “Our study indicates that prolonged loneliness may influence the development of diabetes, suggesting the experience of lockdown could potentially compound people’s vulnerability in this pandemic if the loneliness continues for some time.”

Other research has found loneliness to be associated with coronary heart disease and sometimes even a greater threat than obesity.