Latest news with #RobinRichardson
New York Post
22-04-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Loneliness epidemic is hitting these countries the hardest — and Americans should be worried
According to a recent study, there are many lonely souls in this world. People can feel lonely for any reason at any age — however, those 50 and older are said to be the most lonesome. Where are these desolate people? Advertisement After studying 29 countries and their loneliness rates — a team of Emory University scientists found that Greece and its neighbor, Cyprus, have the loneliest people. Slovakia and Italy almost tied for second place. The US shouldn't get too cocky though, because it managed to make the top five list. 4 Surprisingly, Italy tied for second place on the lonely list. Getty Images Advertisement While the elderly often describe themselves as feeling the most alone — the study findings revealed that the US was filled with more lonely middle-aged adults compared to all other countries — except the Netherlands. 'There is a general perception that people get lonelier as they age, but the opposite is actually true in the US where middle-aged people are lonelier than older generations,' said Dr Robin Richardson, a professor at Emory University. 4 Not being married, being unemployed, mental health issues and poor health are what's reportedly causing people who are in their prime to be unhappy and feel withdrawn in the US. Getty Images Not being married, being unemployed, mental health issues and poor health are what's reportedly causing people who are in their prime to be unhappy and feel withdrawn in the US. Advertisement 'Our findings show that loneliness is not just a late-life issue. In fact, many middle-aged adults—often juggling work, caregiving, and isolation—are surprisingly vulnerable and need targeted interventions just as much as older adults, added Dr. Esteban Calvo, according to the Daily Mail. Yet, those same reasons are what's causing older people in other countries to feel isolated. 4 The study showed that regardless of where someone lives — they can still feel lonely. Evgeni – Clearly, there's a worldwide loneliness epidemic on our hands. Advertisement But it's not all doom and gloom everywhere. Denmark might have a small population — but they seem to be the most satisfied, as the country ranked last on the list. 4 Middle-aged people are feeling just as alone as older adults. oleg_p_100 – Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands and Spain were also low on the list. The top 10 loneliest countries (ranked from loneliest to least lonely) 1. Greece 2. Cyprus 3. Slovakia 4. Italy 5. United States Advertisement 6. Israel 7. Czech Republic 8. Romania 9. Bulgaria Advertisement 10. Latvia While this study points out that both middle-aged and older folks feel the most withdrawn — a specific type of loneliness has recently struck women in their 30s. It's known on social media as 'girlhood FOMO' — which is the fear of missing out on the close-knit female friendship groups often portrayed in media. Popular TV shows like 'Sex and the City' put female friendships at the forefront — leaving many young women feeling disheartened if they don't have their own Charlotte, Samantha, Carrie and Miranda type of clique. Advertisement 27-year-old Eliza Becker shared on social media more insight into how this phenomenon has personally affected her. 'I often feel this way, and it has led me to do many things on my own — which I'm perfectly okay with — but it's just times like this that you'd appreciate company,' Advertisement 'I think as girls, we are often made to believe we need a group,' she said. 'We're constantly told about the importance of 'girlhood' and having a solid circle of friends to talk through life issues and relationships with'.
Hans India
22-04-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Middle-aged Americans more lonely than older generations: Study
New York: Middle-aged Americans demonstrated some of the highest levels of loneliness in a new study released on Tuesday, which assessed tens of thousands of 50 to 90-year-olds across 29 countries. The peer-reviewed research, published in Aging and Mental Health, shows loneliness generally increases with age -- with only the US and the Netherlands representing places where middle-aged people feel more lonely than older generations. 'There is a general perception that people get lonelier as they age, but the opposite is actually true in the US where middle-aged people are lonelier than older generations,' said lead author Robin Richardson, a social and psychiatric epidemiologist and assistant professor at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health. Advocacy and interventions to address the loneliness epidemic have historically focused on older adults and adolescents. Middle-aged adults represent a critical population that is being overlooked, he mentioned. Loneliness is a significant public health concern, responsible for a wide range of physiological, cognitive, mental and behavioural health outcomes that decrease quality of life and increase the risk of disease. Using data from 64,324 older adults in countries across Europe, North America, and the Middle East, Richardson collaborated with experts from Columbia University; McGill University in Canada; and Universidad Mayor in Santiago, Chile. The team found that while loneliness generally increased with age, the size of the increase was greater in some countries than others. Adults in Bulgaria and Latvia reported the most substantial increase in loneliness as people age. They found that adults in Cyprus and Greece had the highest prevalence of loneliness among adults aged 50–90 years. The US had a substantially higher prevalence of loneliness among middle-aged adults, a pattern shared with only one other country, the Netherlands. Being unmarried, not working, depression and poor health were major reasons why loneliness varied with age, but the importance of these contributors and the combination of factors were different in each country. For example, in the US, not working was the top reason for a higher amount of loneliness among middle-aged adults, while in other countries it resulted in more loneliness among older adults. The authors suggest this could be due to the unique social circumstances middle-aged adults face, such as highly constrained leisure time to socialise due to competing work, childcare, and aging parents' caregiving demands. Given that loneliness varies across location and life circumstances, health policies and social programs to reduce loneliness should first confirm which age groups are at highest risk of loneliness in a particular setting, the authors noted.
Daily Mail
22-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Map reveals the loneliest countries in the world... and America's shocking standing
Loneliness has typically been associated with seniors, as they grow less social the older they get. However, in the US, it's not the elderly who experience the highest rates of loneliness - it's middle-aged adults, aged 50 and up. Scientists from Emory University in Georgia studied loneliness rates across 29 countries among individuals 50 to 90 years old. Dr Robin Richardson, a professor in the study of social causes of mental health issues at Emory University, said: 'There is a general perception that people get lonelier as they age, but the opposite is actually true in the US where middle-aged people are lonelier than older generations.' Emory researchers, in collaboration with colleagues at Columbia University in New York, McGill University in Canada, and the Universidad Mayor in Santiago, Chile, analyzed data from more than 64,000 people from countries in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. They aimed to investigate the prevalence of loneliness and its relationship to factors such as age, gender, and health. The aim was to identify the factors that influence loneliness in older age. The US had a substantially higher prevalence of loneliness among middle-aged adults than every other country in the study except one - the Netherlands. Researchers calculated loneliness scores (0–6) using standardized questions from three major aging surveys. The US ranked 25th with a score of 1.4. Being unmarried, not working, depression, and poor health were major drivers of loneliness in middle age, while in other countries, those things resulted in more loneliness among older adults. Adults in Denmark reported the lowest levels of loneliness, while those in Greece and Cyprus reported the highest levels overall. Researchers devised loneliness scores based on large, nationally representative surveys, including the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe covering 27 European countries and Israel (2019-2020), the US Health and Retirement Study, and the Mexican Health and Aging Study. The scores came from standarized survey questions embedded in each study, asking respondents, 'How often do you feel you lack companionship?', 'How often do you feel left out?', and 'How often do you feel isolated from others?.' Responses were scored from 0 (hardly ever), 1 (some of the time), 2 (often), then summed to generate a score ranging from zero to six. Nordic and Western European nations report the lowest levels of loneliness, with Denmark (0.4), Switzerland (0.5), and Austria (0.5) leading the way. The researchers pointed out that countries like Denmark have more robust social safety nets – free universal healthcare, subsidized childcare, guaranteed pensions, paid parental leave, disability care, and housing benefits, all of which create less stress and more trust in the larger institutions in power. Denmark also maintains a culture of Hygge, which prioritizes warmth, comfort, and connection, as well as emphasizing family time and a work-life balance. Denmark's relatively small population, which shares similar cultural norms, creates a sense of mutual trust. Southern and Eastern Europe show the highest loneliness, particularly Greece and Cyprus (both 1.7), followed by Slovakia (1.5) and Italy (1.3). Economic instability, weaker social safety nets, and declining family support structures may contribute. The lack of a robust safety net and not working drove higher levels of loneliness in middle-aged people in the US. The researchers used a tool called a Concentration Index (COIN) to see how loneliness changes as people age from 50 to 90. It generated a graph showing whether loneliness is more common among middle-aged adults (50s–60s) or older adults (70s and above). Their results were published in the journal Aging & Mental Health. In the US, many people rely on workplaces for friendships and a sense of purpose. Without work, people's social circles shrink. Many middle-aged Americans also experience a sense of stigma tied to unemployment. America's 'hustle culture' generates a feeling of shame about perceived lack of productivity and contribution to society, which can exacerbate feelings of isolation. Dr Esteban Calvo, Dean of Social Sciences and Arts at Universidad Mayor in Chile, said: 'Our findings show that loneliness is not just a late-life issue. In fact, many middle-aged adults—often juggling work, caregiving, and isolation—are surprisingly vulnerable and need targeted interventions just as much as older adults. 'Globally, we must extend depression screenings to middle-aged groups, improve support for those not working or unmarried, and adapt these efforts to each country's context—because a one-size-fits-all approach will not solve this worldwide problem.' Former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy deemed loneliness an 'epidemic' in the US, noting its ties to addiction and violence. He said: 'Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling—it harms both individual and societal health. It is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death. 'The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and even greater than that associated with obesity and physical inactivity. 'And the harmful consequences of a society that lacks social connection can be felt in our schools, workplaces, and civic organizations, where performance, productivity, and engagement are diminished.'
