Loneliness and Social Isolation: A Biological Perspective

Introduction

Human beings are inherently social. We thrive on connection, communication, and shared experiences, which help shape our identities and foster a sense of belonging. Yet, in an increasingly digital and fast-paced world, feelings of loneliness and social isolation have become alarmingly common.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that these feelings are widespread. About 25% of older people experience social isolation and 5%-15% of adolescents feel lonely.

Exploring Proteins

We focused on proteomics, the study of proteins. This is because we know that proteins play a role in gene expression, the process by which the information encoded in a gene is turned into biological activity. Proteins are also a major source of drug targets for developing medications.

In this collaborative study between the University of Cambridge and Fudan University, published in Nature Human Behaviour, we used data from 42,062 participants from the UK Biobank and studied 2,920 plasma proteins.

We investigated the association between proteins and self-reported loneliness and social isolation. We discovered that the proteins found to be significantly associated with loneliness and social isolation are also known to be implicated in inflammation as well as antiviral and immune responses.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that loneliness may lead to an increase in the levels of five specific proteins expressed in the brain, which are known to be associated with inflammation and immune responses. We also found that more than half of the proteins were linked to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and death.

Having good social relationships and not feeling lonely may promote health by reducing the levels of certain harmful proteins. However, proteins may only partly explain the link between loneliness and health. Other potential pathways, such as social stress, may also play a role.

Societal Impacts

Social isolation and loneliness affect all ages and genders and leads to major mental and physical health problems. This study helps to understand how this happens on a biological level.

It demonstrates how important it is to connect with others through social activities, for example volunteering or team sport. This can reduce the effects of social isolation and loneliness on the underlying biological processes important for health outcomes.

FAQs

What is loneliness? Loneliness is a state of being isolated or disconnected from others, often accompanied by feelings of sadness, emptiness, and disconnection.

What is social isolation? Social isolation is the state of being physically and emotionally disconnected from others, often due to a lack of social connections or relationships.

How common is loneliness? About 25% of older people experience social isolation and 5%-15% of adolescents feel lonely.

What are the consequences of loneliness? Loneliness is linked to increased risk of disease and death, as well as depression and anxiety.

How can we reduce loneliness? Building meaningful connections with others, such as through social activities, volunteering, or team sports, can help reduce the effects of social isolation and loneliness on our health.