According to psychologists meeting in congress, loneliness is a particularly heavy risk factor for premature death.
A plague, an epidemic, an unfathomable evil. There is no shortage of words to qualify loneliness. Because in the 21st century, there are many people who are alone. And the consequences on their health are particularly harmful. This is what international experts recalled at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association in Washington. The researchers presented the results of two meta-analyzes on the health of people suffering from loneliness.
According to these works, loneliness is expanding in all countries of the world and would kill at least as much as obesity. A first meta-analysis of 148 studies and 300,000 participants shows that a social life rich in relationships and connections is associated with a 50% reduced risk of premature death.
Isolation and aging
These conclusions can be found in the second meta-analysis, which brings together 70 studies and 3.4 million people. These studies show that, on the contrary, social isolation and loneliness constitute major risk factors for premature mortality.
“With an aging population, the effect on public health [de l’isolement social] will only get worse, ”warned senior author Julianne Holt-Lunstad of Brigham Young University.
Cardiovascular health
In fact, loneliness affects the way of life and, consequently, health. A single person will tend to exercise less, smoke more, and eat in a less balanced way. She will thus be more exposed to the risk of arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia or even diabetes.
Previous work has already shown that loneliness affects cardiovascular health. In 2016, researchers from New York University showed that a single person had a 29% increased risk of suffering from a heart attack or angina, and a 32% increased risk of having an accident. cerebrovascular (stroke).
According to psychologists gathered in Washington, beyond mental well-being, being socially involved in activities is one of the keys to good general health. This involves hobbies, time with family or friends, the awareness of belonging to a group, of not being a person in the middle of nowhere.
One in ten people is alone
In France, one in ten people is alone – one in four in the United States. Social networks, dating apps, senior and singles clubs have failed to stem the loneliness of modern humans, not quite, anyway.
According to the researchers, we must guard against loneliness and prepare for old age: once in retirement, in particular, individuals lose an important social bond – even if they would be relieved to stop working. Just as it is prudent to put some money aside to face this new period of life, scientists recommend preparing to strengthen your social and friendly bonds. Managers can have a role to play, by organizing interactions between employees and events in the workplace as often as possible.
.
