New Research Reveals That Middle-Aged Americans Are Lonelier Than Their European Counterparts

A study suggests that cultural norms, socioeconomics, and social safety nets could all play a role in contributing to a ‘loneliness gap’.
Research conducted by the American Psychological Association has found that middle-aged adults in the U.S. often experience higher degrees of loneliness compared to those in Europe. This discrepancy may potentially be attributed to weaker family ties and greater income inequality.

“Loneliness is gaining attention globally as a public health issue because elevated loneliness increases one’s risk for depression, compromised immunity, chronic illness, and mortality,” said lead author Frank Infurna, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at Arizona State University. “Our research illustrates that people feel lonelier in some countries than in others during middle age. It also sheds light on reasons this may be occurring and how governments can address it with better policies.”