#19 - Understanding Loneliness In The Modern World

We are all human and loneliness is inevitably part of the human experience. In the recent years however, it seems that loneliness is becoming more and more prevalent and a bigger issue than most of us would guess.In today's episode, we're going to take a closer look at it and discuss topics like: Why do we even feel lonely? What purpose has loneliness played in our evolution? Why do people feel more alone today? What are the causes of modern, wide-spread loneliness? How to fight against it? And more…Enjoy!Sources and inspiration:American Psychiatric Association. (2025, February 26). Media Advisory: New Polling Data on Loneliness, Experts Available from American Psychiatric Associat. https://www.psychiatry.org:443/news-room/news-releases/media-advisory-new-polling-data-on-loneliness-expeBanerjee, A., & Kohli, N. (2023). Theoretical Approach to Loneliness: A Cognitive Perspective. European Academic Research, 10(11). https://euacademic.org/UploadArticle/5745.pdfBerman, R. (2023, June 27). Social isolation, loneliness may raise mortality risk, study finds. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/social-isolation-loneliness-linked-to-increased-mortality-risk-research-findsGallup, Inc. (2022). Meta-Gallup Research Hub. Gallup.Com. https://www.gallup.com/analytics/509675/state-of-social-connections.aspxHawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2010). Loneliness Matters: A Theoretical and Empirical Review of Consequences and Mechanisms. Annals of Behavioral Medicine : A Publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, 40(2), 10.1007/s12160-010-9210–9218. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-010-9210-8Independent Age. (2020, July). The Psychology of Loneliness. https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/wp-content/uploads/Psychology_of_Loneliness_FINAL_REPORT.pdfJin, E., & Hwang, S. S.-H. (2024). A preliminary study on the neurocognitive deficits associated with loneliness in young adults. Frontiers in Public Health, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1371063Novotney, A. (2019). The risks of social isolation. American Psychological Association, 50(5). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/05/ce-corner-isolationPerlman, D., & Peplau, L. A. (1998). Loneliness. Academic Press. https://peplau.psych.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/141/2017/07/Perlman-Peplau-98.pdfSeemann, A. (2022). The Psychological Structure of Loneliness. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1061. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031061