Loneliness and social isolation may reduce the number of years people live without major physical or mental illnesses, according to new research published in Nature Communications.
The study found that loneliness and social isolation were linked to about six fewer disease-free years on average. Researchers reached the finding after analysing health and lifestyle data from more than 270,000 adults between the ages of 40 and 69.
The researchers also found important differences between men and women. The effects were particularly strong when researchers looked at years lived without mental health disorders.
Loneliness and Social Isolation Are Different
Social isolation and loneliness are related, but they are not the same experience.
Social isolation generally describes having limited contact or participation with other people. Loneliness, however, is a personal feeling of being disconnected from others or from the world around you.
The study found that both experiences were associated with fewer healthy years of life.
“Overall, the study found that social isolation and loneliness can have a significant impact on disease-free life expectancy,” said lead author Lu Qi, a professor at Tulane University.
The researchers found stronger links between loneliness and social isolation and the loss of years without mental disorders. These included depression and anxiety.
The association with physical conditions was also significant. Researchers examined diseases including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.
Healthy Habits May Help With Social Isolation
The research also identified a possible difference between social isolation and loneliness when it comes to lifestyle.
Researchers found that maintaining a healthy lifestyle could reduce some of the negative effects associated with social isolation. However, healthy habits did not appear to fully offset the health impact associated with loneliness.
At age 50, people experiencing both loneliness and social isolation had fewer years free from major chronic diseases than people who experienced neither.
The findings suggest that the quality of a person’s social connections may matter alongside other lifestyle factors.
Men and Women Experience Different Effects
The study found clear differences in how loneliness and social isolation were associated with health outcomes among men and women.
For women, the combination of loneliness and social isolation was associated with 2.4 fewer years of physical disease-free life and 3.7 fewer years without mental disorders.
For men, the estimated loss was 1.7 years of physical disease-free life and 5.8 years without mental disorders.
The researchers also found that men were more likely to experience both loneliness and social isolation. They were also more likely to report fewer social, material and economic resources and lower healthy lifestyle scores.
Social Connection Could Play a Role in Healthy Ageing
The researchers suggested that differences in how men and women build relationships and receive support could help explain the findings.
Men may rely more heavily on regular physical interaction and frequent social contact. Women may place greater importance on emotional support and connection.
The study does not mean that loneliness directly causes every health condition examined. Instead, it identifies associations between loneliness, social isolation and healthy life expectancy.
The findings highlight the importance of social relationships as people age. Staying connected with family, friends and wider communities may form one part of a broader approach to maintaining physical and mental wellbeing.
