Despite widespread claims of a loneliness epidemic in the U.S., analysis of available data suggests that feelings of loneliness are not significantly worse than in previous eras. While many feel lonely at times, metrics for isolation do not equate to loneliness itself. Historical comparisons of social habits reveal shifting contexts, affecting our understanding of friendship and fulfillment. A 2022 review indicates that existing studies on loneliness trends are inconsistent and do not substantiate claims of a global epidemic. Understanding loneliness remains complex, as individuals define it in diverse ways, seeking different forms of connection.
A 2022 review of research on changes in loneliness concluded that existing studies "are inconsistent and therefore do not support sweeping claims of a global loneliness epidemic."
The greatest difficulty with measuring loneliness— and deciding how much to focus on ending it— may be that we don't really know what loneliness is.
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