BySiddhi Jain

November 3, 2020 (IANSlife) Research indicates COVID-19 had a nominal impact on rate of loneliness worldwide but significantly increased unhappiness. Younger people aged 18-34 are more than twice as likely to suffer from loneliness, compared to adults over 55 years of age.

Accordig to a study on the current state of loneliness around the world by Ad Council, nearly one in five (19 per cent) report that they always or often feel alone. Over a quarter (27 per cent) report regularly feeling physically or socially isolated (whether by choice or not) on a regular basis. 

In addition, while interventions previously implemented on a broader scale have either focused on older adults or the general population, the study revealed that younger people are more likely to feel alone and experience contributing factors of loneliness. Of those who regularly feel alone, 41 per cent are adults 18-34 while 19 per cent are adults 55 and older.

People who have satisfying relationships with family, friends and their community are happier, have fewer health problems, have better cognitive function, have less depression and live longer, research has shown. Conversely, a lack of deeper relationships may manifest in mental health issues like anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder, chronic stress, insomnia and cognitive decline later in life.

Though the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected happiness, it has not caused a significant increase in loneliness. However, those at risk of loneliness—experiencing at least one factor of loneliness on a regular basis (feeling alone and/or physical or social isolation)–increased from 36 per cent to 44 per cent. 

Before the pandemic, over half of respondents (57 per cent) said they feel happy on a regular basis. During the pandemic, however, 42 per cent reported regularly feeling happy.

The study also included these topics: 

Tools to improve feelings of loneliness: To cope with loneliness or isolation, the study found that people are performing solo activities rather than group activities or clinical interventions. About two-thirds of people gravitate towards activities by oneself, such as watching TV, listening to music or napping, while about half reach out to others via technology, followed by connecting in-person. While previous public health interventions have focused on group social engagements to improve loneliness, the study found that such activities did not improve feelings of loneliness.

The desire for deeper relationships: When it comes to relationships, more than a third (36 per cent) of all respondents wish they had deeper relationships with more people. For those who regularly experience at least one factor of loneliness, this number jumps to nearly half (47 per cent).

The role of close proximity and human touch: For those who do have strong relationships, the global study found that close proximity to others and human touch both play a role in coping with loneliness and feelings of isolation. For both close proximity and human touch, one's spouse or significant other, children and friends have the greatest impact on improving their loneliness, followed by family members, including siblings and parents. This finding illustrates that human touch is another tool (along with phone, texting and in-person communication) to support and maintain close connections.

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