Crisis of Loneliness and Social Disconnection in Young People 18-34
Evidence consistently shows that social connection has declined and loneliness has increased in the United States for many years [2], with changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating those trends [3]. Such troubling patterns and the associated risks are further elevated for certain groups of people, especially younger individuals: “During the past two decades, young people…have experienced the most severe decline in social connection” [4]. In a representative survey of >10,000 U.S. adults, young people ages 18–24 were twice as likely to report feeling lonely than older adults (≥ 65) [5]. Additionally, there is evidence that during the pandemic, increases in loneliness and depression were greater for young adults (ages 18–34) than for older adults [6].
This Study’s Plan to Decrease Loneliness in Young People
This study involved the development and refinement of a new communication resource that was informed by a priority audience of a major health communication campaign.
People may not Know How to Reconnect with Others
Communication guide is a theoretically- and empirically-informed resource that could be a model for other interventions.
Focus group feedback helped to refine the content of the guide
Their suggestions included the importance of maintaining a reassuring tone and adding more scripts.
Keywords: Loneliness, Social connection, Communication intervention, Interpersonal communication, Health campaign, Young adults
Donovan EE, Shaffer A, Kaiser E, Quaack K, Mackert M, Shi W, De Luca D. Development and refinement of a communication guide to help young adults in Texas reconnect and reduce loneliness. PEC Innov. 2023 Dec 10;4:100246. doi: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2023.100246. PMCID: PMC10733666.
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Madeline J. Robertson, J.D., M.D.
Solutions for Reversing the Loneliness Epidemic — Founder, President & CEO at Here With You, Inc.