Loneliness

Loneliness is a pervasive feeling of disconnection from others that can significantly impact mental and physical health. Studies have found that loneliness often correlates with lower levels of social support, which exacerbates feelings of isolation and can lead to poorer health outcomes. Research also highlights that individuals nearing the end of life frequently experience heightened loneliness, underscoring its importance in palliative care settings. Additionally, there is evidence linking excessive use of social media to increased feelings of loneliness among users. Loneliness appears more prevalent among autistic adults due to challenges in forming and maintaining relationships. These findings suggest strong connections between loneliness and both mental health issues as well as the quality of end-of-life care. However, the current body of research does not provide a comprehensive understanding of all factors influencing loneliness across different populations.

Sources

• The relationships between social support and loneliness: A meta-analysis and review. (PMID:35576818)
• [[Loneliness at the end of life].](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39177839/) (PMID:39177839)
• Loneliness at end-of-life: A scoping review. (PMID:37149735)
• Loneliness and social media. (PMID:39668643)
• [[Loneliness as health risk: a narrative review].](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39115692/) (PMID:39115692)
• Loneliness in autistic adults: A systematic review. (PMID:35257592)

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