good essay titles for isolation

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Published: 27 January 2021

The effects of social isolation on well-being and life satisfaction during pandemic

Ruta Clair ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-9828-9911 1 ,
Maya Gordon 1 ,
Matthew Kroon 1 &
Carolyn Reilly 1

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications volume 8 , Article number: 28 ( 2021 ) Cite this article

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Health humanities

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic placed many locations under ‘stay at home” orders and adults simultaneously underwent a form of social isolation that is unprecedented in the modern world. Perceived social isolation can have a significant effect on health and well-being. Further, one can live with others and still experience perceived social isolation. However, there is limited research on psychological well-being during a pandemic. In addition, much of the research is limited to older adult samples. This study examined the effects of perceived social isolation in adults across the age span. Specifically, this study documented the prevalence of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the various factors that contribute to individuals of all ages feeling more or less isolated while they are required to maintain physical distancing for an extended period of time. Survey data was collected from 309 adults who ranged in age from 18 to 84. The measure consisted of a 42 item survey from the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale, Measures of Social Isolation (Zavaleta et al., 2017 ), and items specifically about the pandemic and demographics. Items included both Likert scale items and open-ended questions. A “snowball” data collection process was used to build the sample. While the entire sample reported at least some perceived social isolation, young adults reported the highest levels of isolation, χ 2 (2) = 27.36, p < 0.001. Perceived social isolation was associated with poor life satisfaction across all domains, as well as work-related stress, and lower trust of institutions. Higher levels of substance use as a coping strategy was also related to higher perceived social isolation. Respondents reporting higher levels of subjective personal risk for COVID-19 also reported higher perceived social isolation. The experience of perceived social isolation has significant negative consequences related to psychological well-being.

The effect of a prosocial environment on health and well-being during the first COVID-19 lockdown and a year later

Loneliness, social isolation, and pain following the COVID-19 outbreak: data from a nationwide internet survey in Japan

Social activity promotes resilience against loneliness in depressed individuals: a study over 14-days of physical isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia

Introduction.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic, prompting most governors in the United States to issue stay-at-home orders in an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19. This was after several months of similar quarantine orders in countries throughout Asia and Europe. As a result, a unique situation arose, in which most of the world’s population was confined to their homes, with only medical staff and other essential workers being allowed to leave their homes on a regular basis. Several studies of previous quarantine episodes have shown that psychological stress reactions may emerge from the experience of physical and social isolation (Brooks et al., 2020 ). In addition to the stress that might arise with social isolation or being restricted to your home, there is also the stress of worrying about contracting COVID-19 and losing loved ones to the disease (Brooks et al., 2020 ; Smith and Lim, 2020 ). For many families, this stress is compounded by the challenge of working from home while also caring for children whose schools had been closed in an effort to slow the spread of the disease. While the effects of social isolation has been reported in the literature, little is known about the effects of social isolation during a global pandemic (Galea et al., 2020 ; Smith and Lim, 2020 ; Usher et al., 2020 ).

Social isolation is a multi-dimensional construct that can be defined as the inadequate quantity and/or quality of interactions with other people, including those interactions that occur at the individual, group, and/or community level (Nicholson, 2012 ; Smith and Lim, 2020 ; Umberson and Karas Montez, 2010 ; Zavaleta et al., 2017 ). Some measures of social isolation focus on external isolation which refers to the frequency of contact or interactions with other people. Other measures focus on internal or perceived social isolation which refers to the person’s perceptions of loneliness, trust, and satisfaction with their relationships. This distinction is important because a person can have the subjective experience of being isolated even when they have frequent contact with other people and conversely they may not feel isolated even when their contact with others is limited (Hughes et al., 2004 ).

When considering the effects of social isolation, it is important to note that the majority of the existing research has focused on the elderly population (Nyqvist et al., 2016 ). This is likely because older adulthood is a time when external isolation is more likely due to various circumstances such as retirement, and limited physical mobility (Umberson and Karas Montez, 2010 ). During the COVID-19 pandemic the need for physical distancing due to virus mitigation efforts has exacerbated the isolation of many older adults (Berg-Weger and Morley, 2020 ; Smith et al., 2020 ) and has exposed younger adults to a similar experience (Brooks et al., 2020 ; Smith and Lim, 2020 ). Notably, a few studies have found that young adults report higher levels of loneliness (perceived social isolation) even though their social networks are larger (Child and Lawton, 2019 ; Nyqvist et al., 2016 ; Smith and Lim, 2020 ); thus indicating that age may be an important factor to consider in determining how long-term distancing due to COVID-19 will influence people’s perceptions of being socially isolated.

The general pattern in this research is that increased social isolation is associated with decreased life satisfaction, higher levels of depression, and lower levels of psychological well-being (Cacioppo and Cacioppo, 2014 ; Coutin and Knapp, 2017 ; Dahlberg and McKee, 2018 ; Harasemiw et al., 2018 ; Lee and Cagle, 2018 ; Usher et al., 2020 ). Individuals who experience high levels of social isolation may engage in self-protective thinking that can lead to a negative outlook impacting the way individuals interact with others (Cacioppo and Cacioppo, 2014 ). Further, restricting social networks and experiencing elevated levels of social isolation act as mediators that result in elevated negative mood and lower satisfaction with life factors (Harasemiw et al., 2018 ; Zheng et al., 2020 ). The relationship between well-being and feelings of control and satisfaction with one’s environment are related to psychological health (Zheng et al., 2020 ). Dissatisfaction with one’s home, resource scarcity such as food and self-care products, and job instability contribute to social isolation and poor well-being (Zavaleta et al., 2017 ).

Although there are fewer studies with young and middle aged adults, there is some evidence of a similar pattern of greater isolation being associated with negative psychological outcomes for this population (Bergin and Pakenham, 2015 ; Elphinstone, 2018 ; Liu et al., 2019 ; Nicholson, 2012 ; Smith and Lim, 2020 ; Usher et al., 2020 ). There is also considerable evidence that social isolation can have a detrimental impact on physical health (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2010 ; Steptoe et al., 2013 ). In a meta-analysis of 148 studies examining connections between social relationships and risk of mortality, Holt-Lunstad et al. ( 2010 ) concluded that the influence of social relationships on the risk for death is comparable to the risk caused by other factors like smoking and alcohol use, and greater than the risk associated with obesity and lack of exercise. Likewise, other researchers have highlighted the detrimental impact of social isolation and loneliness on various illnesses, including cardiovascular, inflammatory, neuroendocrine, and cognitive disorders (Bhatti and Haq, 2017 ; Xia and Li, 2018 ). Understanding behavioral factors related to positive and negative copings is essential in providing health guidance to adult populations.

Feelings of belonging and social connection are related to life satisfaction in older adults (Hawton et al., 2011 ; Mellor et al., 2008 ; Nicholson, 2012 ; Victor et al., 2000 ; Xia and Li, 2018 ). While physical distancing initiatives were implemented to save lives by reducing the spread of COVID-19, these results suggest that social isolation can have a negative impact on both mental and physical health that may linger beyond the mitigation orders (Berg-Weger and Morley, 2020 ; Brooks et al., 2020 ; Cava et al., 2005 ; Smith et al., 2020 ; Usher et al., 2020 ). It is therefore important that we document the prevalence of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the various factors that contribute to individuals of all ages feeling more or less isolated, while they are required to maintain physical distancing for an extended period of time. It was hypothesized that perceived social isolation would not be limited to an older adult population. Further, it was hypothesized that perceived social isolation would be related to individual’s coping with the pandemic. Finally, it was hypothesized that the experience of social isolation would act as a mediator to life satisfaction and basic trust in institutions for individuals across the adult lifespan. The current study was designed to examine the following research questions:

Are there age differences in participants’ perceived social isolation?

Do factors like time spent under required distancing and worry about personal risk for illness have an association with perceived social isolation?

Is perceived social isolation due to quarantine and pandemic mitigation efforts related to life satisfaction?

Is there an association between perceived social isolation and trust of institutions?

Is there a difference in basic stressors and coping during the pandemic for individuals experiencing varying levels of perceived social isolation?

Participants

Participants were adults age 18 years and above. Individuals younger than 18 years were not eligible to participate in the study. There were no limitations on occupation, education, or time under mandatory “stay at home” orders. The researchers sought a sample of adults that was diverse by age, occupation, and ethnicity. The researchers sought a broad sample that would allow researchers to conduct a descriptive quantitative survey study examining factors related to perceived social isolation during the first months of the COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

Participants were asked to complete a 42-item electronic survey that consisted of both Likert-type items and open-ended questions. There were 20 Likert scale items, 3 items on a 3-point scale (1 = Hardly ever to 3 = Often) and 17 items on a 5-point scale (1 = Not at all satisfied to 4 = very satisfied, 0 = I don’t know), 11 multiple choice items, one of which had an available short response answer, and 11 short answer items.

Items were selected from Measures of Social Isolation (Zavaleta et al., 2017 ) that included 27 items to measure feelings of social isolation through the proxy variables of stress, trust, and life satisfaction. Trust was measured for government, business, and media. Life satisfaction examined overall feelings of satisfaction as well as satisfaction with resources such as food, housing, work, and relationships. Three items related to social isolation were chosen from the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale. Hughes et al. ( 2004 ) reported that these three items showed good psychometric validity and reliability for the construct of Loneliness.

There were a further 12 items from the authors specifically about circumstances regarding COVID-19 at the time of the survey. Participants answered questions about the length of time spent distancing from others, level of compliance with local regulations, primary news sources, whether physical distancing was voluntary or mandatory, how many people are in their household, work availability, methods of communication, feelings of personal risk of contracting COVID-19, possible changes in behavior, coping methods, stressors, and whether there are children over the age of 18 staying in the home.

This study was submitted to the Cabrini University Institutional Review Board and approval was obtained in March 2020. Researchers recruited a sample of people that varied by age, gender, and ethnicity by identifying potential participants across academic and non-academic settings using professional contact lists. A “snowball” approach to data gathering was used. The researchers sent the survey to a broad group of adults and requested that the participants send the survey to others they felt would be interested in taking part in research. Recipients received an email that contained a description of the purpose of the study and how the data would be used. Included at the end of the email was a link to the online survey that first presented the study’s consent form. Participants acknowledged informed consent and agreed to participate by opening and completing the survey.

At the end of the survey, participants were given the opportunity to supply an email to participate in a longitudinal study which consists of completing surveys at later dates. In addition, the sample was asked to forward the survey to their contacts who might be interested. Overall, the study took ~10 min to complete.

Demographics

Participants were 309 adults who ranged in age from 18 to 84 ( M = 38.54, s = 18.27). Data was collected beginning in 2020 from late March until early April. At the time of data collection distancing mandates were in place for 64.7% and voluntary for 34.6% of the sample, while 0.6% lived in places which had not yet outlined any pandemic mitigation policies. The average length of time distancing was slightly more than 2 weeks ( M = 14.91 days, s = 4.5) with 30 days as the longest reported time.

The sample identified mostly as female (80.3%), with males (17.8%) and those who preferred not to answer (1.9%) representing smaller numbers. The majority of the sample identified as Caucasian (71.5%). Other ethnic identities reported by participants included Hispanic/Latinx, African-American/Black, Asian/East Asian, Jewish/Jewish White-Passing, Multiracial/Multiethnic, and Country of Origin (Table 1 ). Individuals resided in the United States and Europe.

The majority of the sample lived in households with others (Fig. 1 ). More than one-third (36.7%) lived with one other person, 19.7% lived with two others, and 21% lived with three other people. People living alone comprised 12.1% of the sample. When asked about the presence of children under 18 years of age in the home, 20.5% answered yes.

Figure shows how many additional individuals live in the participant’s household in March 2020.

The highest level of education attained ranged from completion of lower secondary school (0.3%) to doctoral level (6.8%). Two thirds of the sample consisted of individuals with a Bachelor’s degree or above (Table 2 ).

Participants were asked to provide their occupation. The largest group identified themselves as professionals (26.5%), while 38.6% reported their field of work (Table 3 ). Students comprised 23.1% of the sample, while 11.1% reported that they were retired. Some of the occupations reported by the sample included nurses and physicians, lawyers, psychologists, teachers, mental health professionals, retail sales, government work, homemakers, artists across types of media, financial analysts, hairdresser, and veterinary support personnel. One person indicated that they were unemployed prior to the pandemic.

Social isolation and demographics

Spearman’s rank-order correlations were used to examine relationships between the three Likert scale items from the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale that measure social isolation. Feeling isolated from others was significantly correlated with lacking companionship ( r s = 0.45, p < 0.001) and feeling left out ( r s = 0.43, p < 0.001). The items related to lacking companionship and feeling left out were also significantly correlated ( r s = 0.39, p < 0.001).

Kruskal–Wallis tests were conducted to determine if the variables of time in required distancing and age were each related to the three levels of social isolation (hardly, sometimes, often). There were no significant findings between perceived social isolation and length of time in required distancing, χ 2 (2) = 0.024, p = 0.98.

A significant relationship was found between perceived social isolation and age, χ 2 (2) = 27.36, p < 0.001). Subsequently, pairwise comparisons were performed using Dunn’s procedure with a Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Adjusted p values are presented. Post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant differences in age between those with high levels of social isolation (Mdn = 25) and some social isolation (Mdn = 31) ( p = <0.001) and low isolation (Mdn = 46) ( p = 0.002). Higher levels of social isolation were associated with younger age.

Age was then grouped (18–29, 30–49, 50–69, 70+) and a significant relationship was found between social isolation and age, χ 2 (3) = 13.78, p = 0.003). Post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant differences in perceived social isolation across age groups. The youngest adults (age 18–29) reported significantly higher social isolation (Mdn = 2.4) than the two oldest groups (50–69 year olds: Mdn = 1.6, p = 004); age 70 and above: Mdn = 1.57), p = 0.01). The difference between the youngest adults and the next youngest (30–49) was not significant ( p = 0.09).

When asked if participants feel personally at risk for contracting SARS-CoV-2 61.2% reported that they feel at risk. A Mann–Whitney U test was conducted to compare social isolation experienced by those who reported feeling at risk and those who did not feel at risk. Individuals who feel at risk for infection reported more social isolation (Mdn = 2.0) than those that do not feel at risk (Mdn = 1.75), U = 9377, z = −2.43, p = 0.015.

Social isolation and life satisfaction

The relationship between level of social isolation and overall life satisfaction were examined using Kruskal–Wallis tests as the measure consisted of Likert-type items (Table 4 ).

Overall life satisfaction was significantly lower for those who reported greater social isolation ( χ 2 (2) = 50.56, p < 0.001). Post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant differences in life satisfaction scores between those with high levels of social isolation (Mdn = 2.82) and some social isolation (Mdn = 3.04) ( p ≤ 0.001) and between high and low isolation (Mdn = 3.47) ( p ≤ 0.001), but not between high levels of social isolation and some social isolation ( p = 0.09).

The pandemic added concern about access to resources such as food and 68% of the sample reported stress related to availability of resources. A significant relationship was found between social isolation and satisfaction with access to food, χ 2 (2) = 21.92, p < 0.001). Individuals reporting high levels of social isolation were the least satisfied with their food situation. Statistical difference were evident between high social isolation (Mdn = 3.28) and some social isolation (Mdn = 3.46) ( p = 0.003) and between high and low isolation (Mdn = 3.69) ( p < 0.001). Reporting higher levels of social isolation is associated with lower satisfaction with food.

As a result of stay at home orders, many participants were spending more time in their residences than prior to the pandemic. A significant relationship was found between social isolation and housing satisfaction, χ 2 (2) = 10.33, p = 0.006). Post hoc analysis revealed statistically a significant difference in housing satisfaction between those with high levels of social isolation (Mdn = 3.49) and low social isolation (Mdn = 3.75) ( p = 0.006). Higher levels of social isolation is associated with lower levels of satisfaction with housing.

Work life changed for many participants and 22% of participants reported job loss as a result of the pandemic. A significant relationship was found between social isolation and work satisfaction, χ 2 (2) = 21.40, p < 0.001). Post hoc analysis revealed individuals reporting high social isolation reported much lower satisfaction with work (Mdn = 2.53) than did those reporting low social isolation (Mdn = 3.27) ( p < 0.001) and moderate social isolation (Mdn = 3.03) ( p = 0.003).

Social isolation and trust of institutions

The relationship between social isolation and connection to community was measured using a Kruskal–Wallis test. A significant relationship was found between feelings of social isolation and connection to community ( χ 2 (2) = 13.97, p = 0.001. Post hoc analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in connection to community such that the group reporting higher social isolation (Mdn = 2.27, p = 0.001) reports less connection to their community than the group reporting low social isolation (Mdn = 2.93).

A significant relationship was found between social isolation and trust of central government institutions, χ 2 (2) = 10.46, p = 0.005). Post hoc analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in trust of central government between individuals reporting low social isolation (Mdn = 2.91) and those reporting high social isolation (Mdn = 2.32) ( p = 0.008) and moderate social isolation (Mdn = 2.48) ( p = 0.03). There was less trust of central government for the group reporting high social isolation. However, distrust of central government did not extend to local government institutions. There was no significant difference in trust of local government for low, moderate, and high social isolation groups, χ 2 (2) = 5.92, p = 0.052.

Trust levels of business was significantly different between groups that differed in feelings of social isolation, χ 2 (2) = 9.58, p = 0.008). Post hoc analysis revealed more trust of business institutions for the low social isolation group (Mdn = 3.10) compared to the group reporting high social isolation (Mdn = 2.62) ( p = 0.007).

Sixty-seven participants reported loss of a job as a result of COVID-19. A Mann–Whitney U test was conducted to compare social isolation experienced by those who had lost their job to those who had not. Individuals who experienced job loss reported more social isolation (Mdn = 2.26) than those that did not lose their job (Mdn = 1.80), U = 5819.5, z = −3.66 , p < 0.001.

Stress related to caring for an elderly family member was identified by 12% of the sample. A Mann–Whitney U test was conducted to compare social isolation experienced by those who reported that caring for an elderly family member is a stressor to those who had not. There was no significant finding, U = 4483, z = −1.28, p = 0.20. Similarly, there was no significant effect for caring for a child, U = 3568.5, z = −0.48, p = 0.63.

Coping strategies

Participants were asked to check off whether they were using virtual communication, exercise, going outdoors, and/or substances in order to cope with the challenges of distancing during pandemic. A Mann–Whitney U test was conducted to compare social isolation experienced by those who used substances as a coping strategy and those that did not. Individuals who reported substance use reported more social isolation (Mdn = 2.12) than those that did not (Mdn = 1.80), U = 6724, z = −2.01, p = 0.04.

There was no significant difference on Mann–Whitney U test for social isolation between those individuals who went outdoors to cope with pandemic versus those that did not, U = 5416, z = −0.72, p = 0.47. Similarly, there was no difference in social isolation between those individuals who used exercise as a coping tool and those that did not. Finally, there was no difference in social isolation between those that used virtual communication tools and those that did not, U = 7839.5, z = −0.56, p = 0.58. The only coping strategy which was significantly associated with social isolation was substance use.

While research has explored the subjective experience of social isolation, the novel experience of mass physical distancing as a result of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic suggests that social isolation is a significant factor in the public health crisis. The experience of social isolation has been examined in older populations but less often in middle-age and younger adults (Brooks et al., 2020 ; Smith and Lim, 2020 ). Perceived social isolation is related to numerous negative outcomes related to both physical and mental health (Bhatti and Haq, 2017 ; Holt-Lunstad et al., 2010 , Victor et al., 2000 ; Xia and Li, 2018 ). Our findings indicate that younger adults in their 20s reported more social isolation than did those individuals aged 50 and older during physical distancing. This supports the findings of Nyqvist et al. ( 2016 ) that found teenagers and young adults in Finland reported greater loneliness than did older adults.

The experience of social isolation is related to a reduction in life satisfaction. Previous research has shown that feelings of social connection are related to general life satisfaction in older adults (Hawton et al., 2011 , Hughes et al., 2004 , Mellor et al., 2008 ; Victor et al., 2000 , Xia and Li, 2018 ). These findings indicate that perceived social isolation can be a significant mediator in life satisfaction and well-being across the adult lifespan during a global health crisis. Individuals reporting higher levels of social isolation experience less satisfaction with the conditions in their home.

During mandated “stay-at-home” conditions, the experience of work changed for many people. For many adults work is an essential aspect of identity and life satisfaction. The experience of individuals reporting elevated social isolation was also related to lower satisfaction with work. This study included a wide span of occupations involving both individuals required to work from home and essential workers continuing to work outside the home. Further, ~22% of the sample ( n = 67) reported job loss as a stressor related to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and reported elevated social isolation. As institutions and businesses consider whether remote work is an economically viable alternative to face-to-face offices once physical distancing mandates are ended, the needs of workers for social interaction should be considered.

Further, individuals reporting higher social isolation also indicated less connection to their community and lower satisfaction with environmental factors such as housing and food. Findings indicate that higher perceived social isolation is associated with broad dissatisfaction across social and life domains and perceptions of personal risk from COVID-19. This supports research that identified a relationship between social isolation and health-related quality of life outcomes (Hawton et al., 2011 , Victor et al., 2000 ). Perceptions of elevated social isolation are related to lower life satisfaction in functional and social domains.

Perceived social isolation is likewise related to trust of some institutions. While there was no effect for local government, individuals with higher perceived social isolation reported less trust of central government and of business. There is an association between higher levels of perceived social isolation and less connection to the community, lower life satisfaction, and less trust of large-scale institutions such as central government and businesses. As a result, the individuals who need the most support may be the most suspicious of the effectiveness of those institutions.

Coping strategies related to exercise, time spent outdoors, and virtual communication were not related to social isolation. However, individuals who reported using substances as a coping strategy reported significantly higher social isolation than did the group who did not indicate substance use as a coping strategy. Perceived social isolation was associated with negative coping rather than positive coping. This study shows that clinicians and health care providers should ask about coping strategies in order to provide effective supports for individuals.

There are several limitations that may limit the generalizability of the findings. The study is heavily female and this may have an effect on findings. In addition, the majority of the sample has a post-secondary degree and, as such, this study may not accurately reflect the broad experience of individuals during pandemic. Further, it cannot be ruled out that individuals reporting high levels of perceived social isolation may have experienced some social isolation prior to the pandemic.

Conclusions

In conclusion, this study suggests that perceived social isolation is a significant element of health-related quality of life during pandemic. Perceived social isolation is not just an issue for older adults. Indeed, young adults appear to be suffering greatly from the distancing required to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The experience of social isolation is associated with poor life satisfaction across domains, work-related stress, lower trust of institutions such as central government and business, perceived personal risk for COVID-19, and higher levels of use of substances as a coping strategy. Measuring the degree of perceived social isolation is an important addition to wellness assessments. Stress and social isolation can impact health and immune function and so reducing perceived social isolation is essential during a time when individuals require strong immune function to fight off a novel virus. Further, it is anticipated that these widespread effects may linger as the uncertainty of the virus continues. As a result, we plan to follow participants for at least a year to examine the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the well-being of adults.

Data availability

The dataset generated during and analyzed during the current study is not publicly available due to ethical restrictions and privacy agreements between the authors and participants.

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Clair, R., Gordon, M., Kroon, M. et al. The effects of social isolation on well-being and life satisfaction during pandemic. Humanit Soc Sci Commun 8 , 28 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-021-00710-3

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Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Psychiatry & Mental Health — Social Isolation

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The Impact of Social Isolation on Mental Health

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Social Isolation and Mental Health

Social Isolation vs. Loneliness

How to Cope

Social isolation involves being cut off from contact with others. This can involve physical isolation but also refer to feeling emotionally disconnected from social interaction.

People can become socially isolated both intentionally and unintentionally. While levels of social contact can vary over time, extended periods of social isolation can harm mental and physical well-being.

People are social creatures, and lacking support and contact with others can contribute to loneliness , cognitive decline, anxiety, and depression.

Isolation has also been connected to a greater risk for medical conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, weakened immunity, and reduced overall longevity.

The Relationship Between Social Isolation and Mental Health

Research has long noted the link between social isolation and mental well-being. People who have solid social connections have a lower risk of depression than those who lack strong social and emotional support.

People who are socially isolated also tend to experience a higher amount of work-related stress, are more likely to misuse drugs and alcohol, and have lower satisfaction with their life.

Social isolation and mental health have a bidirectional relationship. Isolation can also lead to changes in the brain that might contribute to the onset of mental health conditions. Poor social support can make it more challenging for people to manage stress, which can also significantly affect health and well-being.

At the same time, social contact and support may play a role in helping people combat symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Spending time with others and feeling connected can cultivate a sense of belongingness .

Recognizing the Signs of Social Isolation

Social isolation became more common during and even after the COVID-19 pandemic. As people continue to work more often from home, less social contact is often a common side effect. If you are spending more time on your own, it is essential to recognize the signs that you are getting too isolated from other people.

What Social Isolation May Look Like

Some signs that you or someone you know might be socially isolated include:

Dropping out of social activities or events that you used to participate in
Spending a great deal of time each day alone with little to no contact with other people
Having no one to turn to when you need help, advice, or just a friendly person to talk to
Rarely communicating with other people by text, phone, or video call
Lack of meaningful, close, intimate connections with other people
Feeling lethargic, sad, or rejected
Hypersensitivity to environmental stimuli

It is important to recognize, however, that while connected, there is a distinction between social isolation and loneliness.

Social isolation refers to being separate from others and lacking social contact.
Loneliness , on the other hand, is a more subjective experience. People who are lonely feel cut off from others, even if they have regular physical, and social contact. A person can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely.

Loneliness is also distinct from solitude , which is voluntary and involves enjoying spending time alone.

While distinct, both social isolation and loneliness can negatively impact a person's psychological health.

Social isolation and loneliness can significantly impact mental health, mainly if they are prolonged.

Some of the potential consequences of social isolation and loneliness include:

Increased alcohol and substance use
Poorer physical health
Increased risk for depression
A higher risk for suicide
Changes in brain function
Antisocial behavior
Heart disease
Higher stress levels

Social isolation can also affect a person's health habits, further influencing mental and physical health. People who are socially isolated tend to exercise less, sleep more poorly, and consume more dietary fat .

Causes of Social Isolation

Social isolation sometimes has a direct and apparent cause, such as divorce or illness. In others cases, it happens gradually and may be a sign of other problems in a person's life.

The reality is that many factors often contribute to social isolation including:

Social anxiety

Social isolation is a common symptom of depression . People who are depressed often experience low mood, loss of interest, fatigue, hopelessness, and loss of motivation, all of which can make it difficult to maintain social connections.

People can also become isolated as a result of chronic health conditions . Such conditions can affect mobility, making engaging in social activities difficult. Factors such as stigma or shame can lead people with health conditions to avoid social situations.

Social Anxiety

Social anxiety causes people to experience intense fear associated with social situations. People who have this type of anxiety tend to deal with it by avoiding socializing. This can dramatically limit their ability to maintain relationships and social connections.

Major life stressors are a common cause of social isolation. Divorce , for example, often leads to the loss of social connections and may cause people to withdraw.

The loss of a spouse, financial problems, job loss , and retirement can also lead to changes in a person's sociability.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a stressful event that contributed to increased social isolation for people of all ages worldwide. Social distancing, quarantines, and remote work left many cut off from their normal sources of social connection and support.

Effects of the Pandemic

Some research suggests that social isolation caused by the pandemic has played a role in increased rates of anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and substance use.

Even stressors that are often considered." good stress ," such as going to college or getting married , can create significant life changes that interrupt a person's social functioning.

It is common for people who have experienced a traumatic event to isolate themselves to cope.

Depending on the nature of the trauma, some people may struggle to trust others and fear being hurt again. Those experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may avoid social activities that trigger memories of the traumatic event.

Coping with the Effects of Social Isolation

Combatting social isolation isn't always easy. However, there are things that you can do to begin rebuilding your connections with other people and begin feeling less isolated.

Talk to a Professional

If you or someone you know is experiencing social isolation, talking to a doctor or mental health professional can help. They can diagnose medical or mental health conditions contributing to social isolation.

A therapist can help you address emotional issues that lead to social isolation and develop strategies to combat isolation and strengthen your social skills, all of which may help you to feel better about engaging in social activities.

Look for Ways to Become Socially Engaged

Start by taking small steps toward reconnecting with others. This might involve calling or texting friends or family members to reconnect . One study found that even a brief video call significantly reduced feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Check out your community events board for upcoming activities that might interest you. Volunteering for organizations that align with your interest can also be a great way to reconnect.

Enlist Help

Reach out to your closest connections, even if you've grown distant. Consider talking to them about how you are feeling, and suggest that you would enjoy the chance to talk to them or even meet up in person.

Social activities don't always need to revolve around major events. Instead, just having the chance to talk regularly, whether it's a text, phone call, or video chat, can help you feel more connected to other people.

Consider Adopting a Pet

If you can care for one, adopting a pet can be great for combatting feelings of isolation. Animal companionship can have a number of mental health benefits, including lowering stress and improving mood.

In one study, researchers found that having a dog encouraged older adults to spend more time with other people while they were out walking their pets.

Join a Support Group

You might also consider joining a support group , either online or in person, where you have the chance to talk to others who might be going through the same things as you. This can be a great way to meet new people while also getting support, encouragement, and helpful advice.

Care for Yourself

Reaching out to others is important for overcoming social isolation, but it is also essential to make sure you are caring for yourself. Isolation can often lead to a breakdown in normal routines, so focus on bringing structure to your day.

Create a routine that ensures you are getting enough rest, staying physically active, eating a balanced diet, and taking the time to do the things that you enjoy doing.

A Word From Verywell

Coming out of a period of social isolation takes time, so it is important to be patient while pressing on even when things seem difficult. Remind yourself that building friendships and maintaining interpersonal relationships is something that many adults struggle with.

Don't be afraid to reach out for support, whether it is from your loved ones or a mental health professional. Be kind to yourself and remember that you deserve to have compassionate, supportive people in your life.

National Institute on Aging. Social isolation, loneliness in older people pose health risks .

Grav S, Hellzèn O, Romild U, Stordal E. Association between social support and depression in the general population: The HUNT study, a cross-sectional survey . J Clin Nurs . 2012;21(1-2):111-20. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2011.03868.x

Clair R, Gordon M, Kroon M, Reilly C. The effects of social isolation on well-being and life satisfaction during pandemic . Humanit Soc Sci Commun . 2021;8(1):28. doi:10.1057/s41599-021-00710-3

Kumar A, Salinas J. The long-term public health impact of social distancing on brain health: Topical review . Int J Environ Res Public Health . 2021;18(14):7307. doi:10.3390/ijerph18147307

Reiter K, Ventura J, Lovell D, et al. Psychological distress in solitary confinement: symptoms, severity, and prevalence in the united states, 2017–2018 . Am J Public Health . 2020;110(S1):S56-S62. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2019.305375

Hämmig O. Health risks associated with social isolation in general and in young, middle and old age [published correction appears in PLoS One. 2019 Aug 29;14(8):e0222124]. PLoS One . 2019;14(7):e0219663. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0219663

Cené CW, Beckie TM, Sims M, et al. Effects of objective and perceived social isolation on cardiovascular and brain health: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association . JAHA . 2022;11(16):e026493. doi:10.1161/JAHA.122.026493

Schrempft S, Jackowska M, Hamer M, Steptoe A. Associations between social isolation, loneliness, and objective physical activity in older men and women . BMC Public Health . 2019;19(1):74. doi:10.1186/s12889-019-6424-y

Bzdok D, Dunbar RIM. Social isolation and the brain in the pandemic era . Nat Hum Behav . 2022;6(10):1333-1343. doi:10.1038/s41562-022-01453-0

Gorenko JA, Moran C, Flynn M, Dobson K, Konnert C. Social isolation and psychological distress among older adults related to covid-19: a narrative review of remotely-delivered interventions and recommendations . J Appl Gerontol . 2021;40(1):3-13. doi:10.1177/0733464820958550

Chen X, Zhu H, Yin D. Everyday life construction, outdoor activity and health practice among urban empty nesters and their companion dogs in Guangzhou, China . Int J Environ Res Public Health . 2020;17(11):4091. doi:10.3390/ijerph17114091

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

The risks of social isolation

Psychologists are studying how to combat loneliness in those most at risk, such as older adults

By Amy Novotney

May 2019, Vol 50, No. 5

Print version: page 32

12 min read

Parenting, Families, Relationships

CE credits: 1

Learning objectives: After reading this article, CE candidates will be able to:

Identify the effects of social isolation and loneliness on physical, mental and cognitive health.
Explore how loneliness differs from social isolation.
Discuss evidence-based interventions for combating loneliness.

For more information on earning CE credit for this article, go to www.apa.org/ed/ce/resources/ce-corner .

According to a 2018 national survey by Cigna , loneliness levels have reached an all-time high, with nearly half of 20,000 U.S. adults reporting they sometimes or always feel alone. Forty percent of survey participants also reported they sometimes or always feel that their relationships are not meaningful and that they feel isolated.

Such numbers are alarming because of the health and mental health risks associated with loneliness. According to a meta-analysis co-authored by Julianne Holt-Lunstad, PhD, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University, lack of social connection heightens health risks as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day or having alcohol use disorder. She’s also found that loneliness and social isolation are twice as harmful to physical and mental health as obesity ( Perspectives on Psychological Science , Vol. 10, No. 2, 2015 ).

"There is robust evidence that social isolation and loneliness significantly increase risk for premature mortality, and the magnitude of the risk exceeds that of many leading health indicators," Holt-Lunstad says.

In an effort to stem such health risks, campaigns and coalitions to reduce social isolation and loneliness—an individual’s perceived level of social isolation—have been launched in Australia, Denmark and the United Kingdom. These national programs bring together research experts, nonprofit and government agencies, community groups and skilled volunteers to raise awareness of loneliness and address social isolation through evidence-based interventions and advocacy.

But is loneliness really increasing, or is it a condition that humans have always experienced at various times of life? In other words, are we becoming lonelier or just more inclined to recognize and talk about the problem?

These are tough questions to answer because historical data about loneliness are scant. Still, some research suggests that social isolation is increasing, so loneliness may be, too, says Holt-Lunstad. The most recent U.S. census data, for example, show that more than a quarter of the population lives alone—the highest rate ever recorded. In addition, more than half of the population is unmarried, and marriage rates and the number of children per household have declined since the previous census. Rates of volunteerism have also decreased, according to research by the University of Maryland’s Do Good Institute, and an increasing percentage of Americans report no religious affiliation —suggesting declines in the kinds of religious and other institutional connections that can provide community.

"Regardless of whether loneliness is increasing or remaining stable, we have lots of evidence that a significant portion of the population is affected by it," says Holt-Lunstad. "Being connected to others socially is widely considered a fundamental human need—crucial to both well-being and survival."

As experts in behavior change, psychologists are well-positioned to help the nation combat loneliness. Through their research and public policy work, many psychologists have been providing data and detailed recommendations for advancing social connection as a U.S. public health priority on both the societal and individual levels.

"With an increasing aging population, the effects of loneliness on public health are only anticipated to increase," Holt-Lunstad says. "The challenge we face now is figuring out what can be done about it."

Who is most likely?

Loneliness is an experience that has been around since the beginning of time—and we all deal with it, according to Ami Rokach, PhD, an instructor at York University in Canada and a clinical psychologist. "It’s something every single one of us deals with from time to time," he explains, and can occur during life transitions such as the death of a loved one, a divorce or a move to a new place. This kind of loneliness is referred to by researchers as reactive loneliness.

Problems can arise, however, when an experience of loneliness becomes chronic, Rokach notes. "If reactive loneliness is painful, chronic loneliness is torturous," he says. Chronic loneliness is most likely to set in when individuals either don’t have the emotional, mental or financial resources to get out and satisfy their social needs or they lack a social circle that can provide these benefits, says psychologist Louise Hawkley, PhD, a senior research scientist at the research organization NORC at the University of Chicago.

"That’s when things can become very problematic, and when many of the major negative health consequences of loneliness can set in," she says.

Last year, a Pew Research Center survey of more than 6,000 U.S. adults linked frequent loneliness to dissatisfaction with one’s family, social and community life. About 28 percent of those dissatisfied with their family life feel lonely all or most of the time, compared with just 7 percent of those satisfied with their family life. Satisfaction with one’s social life follows a similar pattern: 26 percent of those dissatisfied with their social lives are frequently lonely, compared with just 5 percent of those who are satisfied with their social lives. One in five Americans who say they are not satisfied with the quality of life in their local communities feel frequent loneliness, roughly triple the 7 percent of Americans who are satisfied with the quality of life in their communities.

And, of course, loneliness can occur when people are surrounded by others—on the subway, in a classroom, or even with their spouses and children, according to Rokach, who adds that loneliness is not synonymous with chosen isolation or solitude. Rather, loneliness is defined by people’s levels of satisfaction with their connectedness, or their perceived social isolation.

Effects of loneliness and isolation

As demonstrated by a review of the effects of perceived social isolation across the life span, co-authored by Hawkley, loneliness can wreak havoc on an individual’s physical, mental and cognitive health ( Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B , Vol. 370, No. 1669, 2015 ). Hawkley points to evidence linking perceived social isolation with adverse health consequences including depression, poor sleep quality, impaired executive function, accelerated cognitive decline, poor cardiovascular function and impaired immunity at every stage of life. In addition, a 2019 study led by Kassandra Alcaraz, PhD, MPH, a public health researcher with the American Cancer Society, analyzed data from more than 580,000 adults and found that social isolation increases the risk of premature death from every cause for every race ( American Journal of Epidemiology , Vol. 188, No. 1, 2019 ). According to Alcaraz, among black participants, social isolation doubled the risk of early death, while it increased the risk among white participants by 60 to 84 percent.

"Our research really shows that the magnitude of risk presented by social isolation is very similar in magnitude to that of obesity, smoking, lack of access to care and physical inactivity," she says. In the study, investigators weighted several standard measures of social isolation, including marital status, frequency of religious service attendance, club meetings/group activities and number of close friends or relatives. They found that overall, race seemed to be a stronger predictor of social isolation than sex; white men and women were more likely to be in the least isolated category than were black men and women.

The American Cancer Society study is the largest to date on all races and genders, but previous research has provided glimpses into the harmful effects of social isolation and loneliness. A 2016 study led by Newcastle University epidemiologist Nicole Valtorta, PhD, for example, linked loneliness to a 30 percent increase in risk of stroke or the development of coronary heart disease ( Heart , Vol. 102, No. 13 ). Valtorta notes that a lonely individual’s higher risk of ill health likely stems from several combined factors: behavioral, biological and psychological.

"Lacking encouragement from family or friends, those who are lonely may slide into unhealthy habits," Valtorta says. "In addition, loneliness has been found to raise levels of stress, impede sleep and, in turn, harm the body. Loneliness can also augment depression or anxiety."

Last year, researchers at the Florida State University College of Medicine also found that loneliness is associated with a 40 percent increase in a person’s risk of dementia ( The Journals of Gerontology: Series B , online 2018). Led by Angelina Sutin, PhD, the study examined data on more than 12,000 U.S. adults ages 50 years and older. Participants rated their levels of loneliness and social isolation and completed a cognitive battery every two years for up to 10 years.

Among older adults in particular, loneliness is more likely to set in when an individual is dealing with functional limitations and has low family support, Hawkley says. Better self-rated health, more social interaction and less family strain reduce older adults’ feelings of loneliness, according to a study, led by Hawkley, examining data from more than 2,200 older adults ( Research on Aging , Vol. 40, No. 4, 2018 ). "Even among those who started out lonely, those who were in better health and socialized with others more often had much better odds of subsequently recovering from their loneliness," she says.

A 2015 study led by Steven Cole, MD, a professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, provides additional clues as to why loneliness can harm overall health ( PNAS , Vol. 112, No. 49, 2015). He and his colleagues examined gene expressions in leukocytes, white blood cells that play key roles in the immune system’s response to infection. They found that the leukocytes of lonely participants—both humans and rhesus macaques—showed an increased expression of genes involved in inflammation and a decreased expression of genes involved in antiviral responses.

Loneliness, it seems, can lead to long-term "fight-or-flight" stress signaling, which negatively affects immune system functioning. Simply put, people who feel lonely have less immunity and more inflammation than people who don’t.

Combating loneliness

While the harmful effects of loneliness are well established in the research literature, finding solutions to curb chronic loneliness has proven more challenging, says Holt-Lunstad.

Developing effective interventions is not a simple task because there’s no single underlying cause of loneliness, she says. "Different people may be lonely for different reasons, and so a one-size-fits-all kind of intervention is not likely to work because you need something that is going to address the underlying cause." Rokach notes that efforts to minimize loneliness can start at home, with teaching children that aloneness does not mean loneliness. Also, he says, schools can help foster environments in which children look for, identify and intervene when a peer seems lonely or disconnected from others.

In terms of additional ways to address social isolation and feelings of loneliness, research led by Christopher Masi, MD, and a team of researchers at the University of Chicago suggests that interventions that focus inward and address the negative thoughts underlying loneliness in the first place seem to help combat loneliness more than those designed to improve social skills, enhance social support or increase opportunities for social interaction ( Personality and Social Psychology Review , Vol. 15, No. 3, 2011). The meta-analysis reviewed 20 randomized trials of interventions to decrease loneliness in children, adolescents and adults and showed that addressing what the researchers termed maladaptive social cognition through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) worked best because it empowered patients to recognize and deal with their negative thoughts about self-worth and how others perceive them, says Hawkley, one of the study’s co-authors.

Still, some research has found that engaging older adults in community and social groups can lead to positive mental health effects and reduce feelings of loneliness. Last year, Julene Johnson, PhD, a University of California, San Francisco researcher on aging, examined how joining a choir might combat feelings of loneliness among older adults ( The Journals of Gerontology: Series B , online 2018 ). Half of the study’s 12 senior centers were randomly selected for the choir program, which involved weekly 90-minute choir sessions, including informal public performances. The other half of the centers did not participate in choir sessions. After six months, the researchers found no significant differences between the two groups on tests of cognitive function, lower body strength and overall psychosocial health. But they did find significant improvements in two components of the psychosocial evaluation among choir participants: This group reported feeling less lonely and indicated they had more interest in life. Seniors in the non-choir group saw no change in their loneliness, and their interest in life declined slightly.

Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia have also found that older adults who take part in social groups such as book clubs or church groups have a lower risk of death ( BMJ Open , Vol. 6, No. 2, 2016 ). Led by psychologist Niklas Steffens, PhD, the team tracked the health of 424 people for six years after they had retired and found that social group membership had a compounding effect on quality of life and risk of death. Compared with those still working, every group membership lost after retirement was associated with around a 10 percent drop in quality of life six years later. In addition, if participants belonged to two groups before retirement and kept these up over the following six years, their risk of death was 2 percent, rising to 5 percent if they gave up membership in one group and to 12 percent if they gave up membership in both.

"In this regard, practical interventions need to focus on helping retirees to maintain their sense of purpose and belonging by assisting them to connect to groups and communities that are meaningful to them," the authors say.

To that end, cohousing appears to be growing in popularity among young and old around the world as a way to improve social connections and decrease loneliness, among other benefits. Cohousing communities and mixed-age residences are intentionally built to bring older and younger generations together, either in whole neighborhoods within single-family homes or in larger apartment buildings, where they share dining, laundry and recreational spaces. Neighbors gather for parties, games, movies or other events, and the cohousing piece makes it easy to form clubs, organize child and elder care, and carpool. Hawkley and other psychologists argue that these living situations may also provide an antidote to loneliness, particularly among older adults. Although formal evaluations of their effectiveness in reducing loneliness remain scarce, cohousing communities in the United States now number 165 nationwide, according to the Cohousing Association , with another 140 in the planning stages.

"Older adults have become so marginalized and made to feel as though they are no longer productive members of society, which is lonely-making in and of itself," Hawkley says. "For society to be healthy, we have to find ways to include all segments of the population, and many of these intergenerational housing programs seem to be doing a lot in terms of dispelling myths about old age and helping older individuals feel like they are important and valued members of society again."

Additional reading

Life-saving Relationships Weir, K. Monitor , 2018

Advancing Social Connection as a Public Health Priority in the United States Holt-Lunstad, J., et al. American Psychologist, 2017

The Potential Public Health Relevance of Social Isolation and Loneliness: Prevalence, Epidemiology, and Risk Factors Holt-Lunstad, J. Public Policy & Aging Report , 2017

The link between loneliness and technology

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Social Isolation Effects on Students Research Paper

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Introduction

Social isolation.

In this research paper, the topic of social isolation as a negative phenomenon was raised. Isolation, which is not equal to hostility, is commonly used by the side that is dissatisfied with communication. Loneliness and social isolation impact behavior and can lead to people acting in ways that aggravate their alienation. It should be noted that social isolation negatively affects the psychological state and physical health, and condition of an individual that lacks communication and activity.

A person throughout his life is subject to the influence of the environment, society, and people around him. In the absence of a sufficient volume of communication, vital activity, physical activity, and social development, an individual has a risk of being in social isolation. People of all ages, including students and the elderly, have a high probability of getting physical and psychological health problems due to being in prolonged social isolation.

Social Isolation and Depression

As a consequence of the termination or severe reduction of social connections and interactions, a person or social group is rejected by other people or social groupings, resulting in social isolation. Isolation, which is not equal to hostility, is commonly used by the side that is dissatisfied with communication. Any damaging activities, if they occur, are only designed to discontinue interactions and should be stopped quickly. Individual isolation can be from a particular person (pleasant or unpleasant), a certain group of people (important to him), or the community as a whole (or a bigger part), which is the most extreme scenario.

Isolation (belonging to one group) of a person from another group may be interpreted as isolating certain social groupings from others. Social isolation is possible to be a cause and a symptom of mental or emotional issues. Periods of solitude can be chronic or episodic as a symptom, depending on any cyclical shifts in behavior, particularly in severe depression.

Complete, physical, and formal isolation are three types of social isolation that describe the structure of the process. Complete isolation refers to a condition in which both active and passive modes of communication (cell phone, mail) are fully unavailable. A person’s isolation from the rest of society is the most difficult test he or she may face since there is no possibility to communicate. Physical isolation occurs when a person who lacks the capacity (or desire) to meet in person interacts freely via technological means, such as a cell phone, mail, or the Internet. Telephone and video communication, which are extremely near to direct communication, are favored or disregarded based on the desire for or rejection of human interactions.

The third sort of social isolation is formal (daily) communication, in which the individual is a whole part of the group but has extremely little amount of informal communication and social connections. However, for functional groupings such as work, study, organizations, and strangers, this form of isolation is normal. This sort of separation from the rest of the world occurs when individual moves to an entirely different setting (for instance, a new city, jail, or the army) either temporarily before joining one of the groups or permanently after being rejected by a closed community.

Loneliness and social isolation impact behavior and can lead to people acting in ways that aggravate their alienation. Loneliness and social isolation cause people to distrust others, raise intolerance, and erode social cohesiveness. Each person’s mental health is affected differently by social isolation. An individual may have already struggled with mental health issues that have now been exacerbated, or a person may be experiencing emotional changes as a result of the epidemic and question if this is normal and will pass.

One of the psychological problems, the development of which is influenced by social isolation, is the presence of a depressive state. Depression is characterized by a negative mood and reluctance to act. Depression influences an individual’s opinion, behavior, energy, emotions, and sense of well-being and is categorized clinically as a mental and behavioral condition. According to research and testing, depression has an increased chance of developing in those people who have been exposed to severe social isolation and physical inactivity for a long period of their lives (Santini et al., 2020). An individual, being in social isolation and focusing exclusively on his inner world, has a risk of overestimating difficulties and, as a result, receiving depression.

The Influence of Increased Anxiety

Increased anxiety is another major psychological problem that people suffer from, related to social isolation. Anxiety is a negative emotion marked by an uncomfortable state of inner conflict and subjectively unpleasant emotions of dread about upcoming events. Nervous behavior, such as walking back and forward, panic disorder, and rumination, are frequently present. According to the researchers, an increased level of anxiety and associated mental activity disorders are directly related to the long-term social isolation of a person (Santini et al., 2020). Due to a very limited social circle and the lack of any life activities, a person is subject to strong anxiety, including problems that do not pose great danger.

The Impact of Substance Abuse

Substance abuse can also be viewed as a negative phenomenon directly related to psychological problems that can be caused by social isolation. Substance abuse, often related to drug abuse, is defined as using a substance in quantities or ways that are detrimental to the user or others. In addition to the potential for physical, social, and psychological harm, the use of some substances may result in criminal consequences. Problems of depression and increased anxiety stimulated by social isolation can push a person towards unreasonable and, in some cases, illegal actions (Cantarero-Prieto et al., 2018). Drug addiction is one of the possible final stages of developing a protracted psychological crisis of the personality, which can be triggered by a limited circle of contacts, social problems, and life difficulties.

Effects on the Health of Students and Older Adults

It should be noted that social isolation negatively affects not only the psychological state of a person, but also his physical health and condition. Chronic diseases are more likely to be diagnosed when people are socially isolated (Cantarero-Prieto et al., 2018). Considering the studies, individuals who participate in more social activities have a decreased chance of developing various chronic illnesses (Cantarero-Prieto et al., 2018).

Therefore, the consequences of social isolation lead to mental consequences that directly or indirectly affect the individual’s physical condition. The danger of isolation and the conventional risk connected with lifestyles should be taken into account by the authorities while developing new public policy in medicine (Cantarero-Prieto et al., 2018). Chronic medical conditions make patients feel more stressed because they are aware of their illness and worry about their future recovery. As a result of increased stress levels, a person may develop symptoms directly related to social isolation, specifically depression and anxiety. In addition to the above, in social isolation, a person is limited in movement; respectively, his mobility and physical activity decrease, leading to health problems.

Concerning specific physical illnesses and health problems, it is possible to state that social isolation is a reason for chronic conditions, for instance, blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Poor social interactions and lack of communication, defined by social isolation or loneliness, are linked to a higher risk of heart disease and stroke (Goldberg et al., 2021). All of the above diseases and ailments are directly related to the lifestyle that the individual leads.

Social isolation leads to a sharp restriction in terms of general physical activity and vital activity. Since this isolation also implies the presence of such psychological problems as depression and anxiety, in addition to the low level of mobility, there is an increased level of stress. Due to a reduced level of physical activity and an increase in the level of stress, a person potentially overeats, thereby impairing blood circulation, the general human condition, and well-being.

As for the elderly, they are at risk not only with regard to physical health but also within the framework of the issue of dementia. Dementia in older adults is a collection of symptoms that appear when the brain is impaired due to an accident or disease. The symptoms include gradual memory, cognitive, and behavioral deficits that have a detrimental influence on a person’s capacity to function and carry out daily tasks. Aside from memory loss and cognitive processes disturbance, the most typical symptoms are emotional issues, linguistic difficulties, and a lack of drive. The symptoms might be defined as a series of events that occur throughout time.

Emotional and social isolation and loneliness and psychological worry have been linked to dementia and cognitive deterioration (Goldberg et al., 2021). Scientists have shown that both social isolation and restriction of physical and professional activities of daily life lead to an increased risk of dementia in older people (Goldberg et al., 2021). Even though the older generation and retirees are a priori at increased risk of physical illness due to weakened immunity, they are also becoming more vulnerable in the field of psychological health.

Considering the problem of social isolation among students, it is obligatory to emphasize the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic and quarantine on the general lifestyle. In this particular case, social isolation is caused by artificial and mandatory measures on the part of state representatives, who, by taking quarantine measures, isolate students and transfer them to distance learning. Students, as representatives of the younger generation, to a large extent need correct and versatile communication, which allows them to develop mentally. Social isolation for people of this age category is associated with developmental delays since all life activities are reduced to an exclusively home environment without leaving the comfort zone.

To summarize, due to the termination or severe reduction of social connections and interactions, a person or social group is rejected by other people or social groupings, resulting in social isolation. When a person is socially isolated and focuses only on his inner world, he runs the danger of exaggerating troubles and, as a result, developing depression. Due to a small social circle and a lack of living activities, a person might experience severe anxiety, even regarding things that aren’t life threatening. In the case of certain physical ailments and health issues, social isolation might be linked to chronic disorders such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Since all daily activities are confined to an exclusively home setting without leaving the comfort zone, social isolation is linked to developmental delays among students.

Cantarero-Prieto, D., Pascual-Sáez, M., & Blázquez-Fernández, C. (2018). Social isolation and multiple chronic diseases after age 50: A European macro-regional analysis. PloS one, 13 (10). Web.

Goldberg, T. E., Choi, J., Lee, S., Gurland, B., & Devanand, D. P. (2021). Effects of restriction of activities and social isolation on risk of dementia in the community. International Psychogeriatrics , 1–9. Web.

Santini, Z. I., Jose, P. E., Cornwell, E. Y., Koyanagi, A., Nielsen, L., Hinrichsen, C., Meilstrup, C., Madsen, K. R., & Koushede, V. (2020). Social disconnectedness, perceived isolation, and symptoms of depression and anxiety among older Americans (NSHAP): A longitudinal mediation analysis . The Lancet Public Health, 5 (1), 62-70. Web.

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Social Isolation Essay Examples

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Introduction

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Effects on the Health of Students and Older Adults

Social Isolation Essay Examples

A Theme of Social Isolation in Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and Sleep by Haruki Murakami

The Contribution of Technology to Social Isolation

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Social Isolation in Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison: the Impact of Our View of Ourselves on Our Life

Theory of Slavery as a Kind of Social Death

The Ideas of Racism Eradication

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