Lonelyville, USA: Three factors that make middle-aged adults in America more likely to be lonely
Middle-aged Americans are facing a loneliness epidemic compared to their European counterparts, a new report suggests. The study, published in the journal American Psychologist, analyzed data from 53,000 adults in the US and 13 European countries, focusing on individuals aged 40 to 65.
The research found that middle-aged Americans consistently scored higher on a loneliness metric, which could potentially contribute to earlier mortality rates in the US. Factors such as a focus on individualism, weaker family ties, and the widespread use of social media were identified as contributing to the high rates of loneliness in the US.
Loneliness has been linked to various mental and physical health effects, including sleep disorders, metabolic conditions, depression, compromised immunity, chronic illness, and even mortality. The US already has a lower life expectancy compared to peer nations, with the CDC estimating a life expectancy of 77.5 years in 2022.
Recent studies have shown that late baby boomers and Generation X individuals in the US feel lonelier compared to their European peers. The researchers attribute this trend to deep-seated values of individualism, social and economic inequalities, and a lack of social support in the US.
Over half of Americans report feelings of loneliness in recent surveys, indicating an increasing prevalence of loneliness in the country. The prevalence of social media and the trend of more Americans living alone have also been identified as contributing factors to this loneliness epidemic.
The study calls for better policies to address the issue of loneliness in middle-aged Americans and highlights the urgent need for social connections and support networks to combat this growing problem in the US.
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