Study explores relationship between loneliness and mental health problems

In a new study, researchers examined whether lonely people are prone to problems such as depression and psychosis. Based on medication use, the correlation is clear.

“We found a link between loneliness and several mental health problems,” says Associate Professor Ruben Rodriguez-Cano from the Department of Psychology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). p>

"The risk that a lonely person will also suffer from mental health problems is higher than that of people who do not feel lonely."

The results were published in BJPsych Open.

What came first?

The mental health problems identified in the study are serious and varied.

"Our research shows that loneliness increases the risk of developing psychosis, bipolar disorder and severe depression,” says Rodriguez-Cano.

But does loneliness cause mental problems, or do mental problems make people feel lonely?

Both are possible.

"In assessing how loneliness develops from adolescence to adulthood, we found that people with psychotic and bipolar disorders are more likely to experience an increase in loneliness after adolescence.

Although we cannot establish cause and effect in our study, the correlation between loneliness and serious mental illness is clear over the long term,” says Associate Professor Rodríguez-Cano.

Multiple correlations

Loneliness and loneliness are two different things. Some people choose to be alone and feel fine without experiencing a negative impact on their mental health, but lonely people can suffer greatly.

"For example, people in the early stages of mental illness during adolescence may experience problems with social relationships. This may cause them to feel more lonely, and this worsens their psychopathology," Rodriguez says. Kano.

In addition, people who feel lonely in general may experience low self-esteem, which can lead to loneliness, which in turn can increase mental health problems in adulthood.

Scientists studied approximately 2,600 people participating in the long-term Young in Norway study, which has been conducted since 1992. It reaches thousands of people who were teenagers in the 1990s.

The researchers can therefore see how participants coped with challenges over time. In this study, they followed participants for over 20 years. The information collected was compared with drug use data from the Norwegian Prescription Database.

"More than 80% of participants did not receive psychiatric medications during the study period," says Associate Professor Rodriguez-Cano.

In other words, most people do not suffer from mental problems. However, 12% received at least one type of psychotropic medication, and 7% received two or more. In total, these groups number almost 500 people.

"Researchers, policymakers and various social actors, at both preventive and clinical levels, need to keep an eye on loneliness in adolescence. We need to create opportunities for young people to feel less lonely, thus preventing mental health problems " said Rodriguez-Cano.

Source: Medical Xpress