Loneliness: contemporary insights into causes, correlates, and consequences

Effects of biopsychosocial factors on the association between loneliness and mental health risks during the COVID-19 lockdown

“…Nevertheless, our finding demonstrates the robustness of loneliness as a predictor of poor mental health and behavioural problems, including anxiety, depressive symptoms, and insomnia. This is consistent with previous reports of a causal relationship between loneliness and physical and mental health problems (Beutel et al, 2017 ; Hawkley & Cacioppo, 2010 ; Lara et al, 2020 ; Leigh-Hunt et al, 2017 ; Holt-Lunstad et al, 2015 ; Lim et al, 2020 ; Solmi et al, 2020 ). Our results also reinforce a growing body of research showing a significant association between loneliness during the pandemic and greater anxiety and depressive symptoms (Killgore et al, 2020a ; Okruszek et al, 2020 ; Palgi et al, 2020 ; Tso & Park, 2020 ) and sleep problems (Grossman et al, 2021 ; Kokou-Kpolou et al, 2020a ).…”

“…Over the years, associations between loneliness and physical and mental health problems, as well as impaired cognitive functioning and mortality risks, have been extensively documented (Beutel et al, 2017 ; Hawkley & Cacioppo, 2010 ; Holt-Lunstad et al, 2015 ; Lara et al, 2020 ; Leigh-Hunt et al, 2017 ; Lim et al, 2020 ; Solmi et al, 2020 ). With a few exceptions, studies of individuals across the lifespan have shown that loneliness is particularly prevalent among females, younger and elderly people (U-shaped curve), the jobless, single people, and people with mental and chronic physical health conditions (Hawkley & Cacioppo, 2010 ; Solmi et al, 2020 ).…”

The Experiences of Health Care Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea: a Qualitative Study

“… 24 Social isolation and loneliness have been identified as major risk factors for stress, depression, and anxiety. 25 26 Psychological interventions and strategies are needed to increase social support, as are coping skills to improve the emotional state of HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Social and emotional loneliness among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: the predictive role of coping behaviours, social support, and personal resilience

“…Loneliness is an important health concern that has been strongly associated with various adverse mental and psychological consequences. Evidence has identi ed loneliness as a strong precursor of stress, depression, anxiety, and suicide, which could potentially exacerbate pre-existing psychological and mental issues (Holmes et al, 2020;Lim et al, 2020). Recent studies have shown that social isolation and loneliness due to home con nement measure increase the risk of psychological distress, depression, and anxiety in an individual, with a longer duration of loneliness considered as a strong precursor of adverse psychiatric symptoms (Rauschenberg et al, 2020;Loades et al, 2020).…”